Why sleep is so important.

Better sleep really does mean a better you.

Sleep is just as important as eating healthy and exercising. Sleep science has developed significantly in the past 20 years, providing growing insight about how sleep works, why it’s important, and the ways that it can be disrupted.

While we are sleeping our bodies are healing and repairing. Poor sleep is strongly linked to weight gain, believed to be mediated by numerous factors, including hormones and motivation to exercise. Good sleepers tend to eat fewer calories. The better quality sleep we have, the better our brain functions, our cognitive skills and concentration improves. Good sleep greatly improves the quality of your life.

We need 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Sleep quality, not quantity is also key. Shut eye without interruptions that is. Fragmented sleep marked by lots of waking during the night can interfere with the ability to properly move through your sleep cycle, decreasing time spent in the most restorative stages of sleep.

How can you improve your sleep? 

Take some down time each evening before you go to bed so that your brain can contextualise your day, stick to a regular bedtime routine with 30 mins off all devices before sleep. Practice 4/4/4 breathing to regulate and slow your breath and mind. There is research to suggest that for deeper quality sleep and for a stable circadian rhythm, it’s best to sleep in a bedroom that’s as close to pitch darkness as possible.