Countless studies have proven that sleep deprivation is an extremely unhealthy thing. Human bodies need their rest, and withholding it damages both body and mind. However, as we live in the world of informational overflow, constant stress, and noise pollution, only about 7% of people have a healthy eight-hour sleep every night.
The good news is, we humans are extremely resilient and can withstand a few sleepless nights with minor damage. However, the chronic stress that we live under often translates into insomnia or some other form of sleep disorder. In these cases, lack of rest becomes a very serious issue, which must be treated as fast as possible.
Importance of Healthy Sleep: Risks of Chronic Sleep Deprivation
Not getting a healthy dose of regular shuteye literally increases the risk of premature death. This weakens your body greatly, making you more vulnerable. Various studies indicate that people suffering from insomnia, or are otherwise lacking in regular sleep, have a higher chance of developing:
- Cancer
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- Stroke
The effects of sleep deprivation on the mind are even more devastating. Depending on the situation and severity, it may lead to disassociation and a complete mental breakdown. In fact, the effects of this are so bad that depriving a person of rest constantly is a legitimate form of torture used throughout history. The damage dealt by it to the mind can be permanent.
What is Insomnia and How Do You Treat it?
Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in the world, and the number of people suffering from it seems to increase with every passing year. According to statistics, every third adult in the US doesn’t get a sufficient amount of sleep, and 50-70 million people suffer from sleep disorders.
Note that this condition may manifest in different forms, including:
- Inability to fall asleep
- Waking up too early
- Waking up in the middle of the night.
Insomnia might be an ‘independent’ health condition, meaning it isn’t caused by any other problem. However, more often than not, it’s a symptom of a larger problem.
In many cases, insomnia is caused by constant stress, so leading a healthy lifestyle may help treat it in a safe and effective manner. If these changes alone aren’t enough to help relieve your sleep issues, you may try the following treatments:
- Meditation.
This is a highly effective relaxation technique that may counter the number one insomnia-inducing factor: stress. Try meditating for 10-15 minutes every night before bed, in order to calm your mind and help it relax into sleep. - Yoga.
Please note, not all yoga techniques are appropriate for insomnia treatment. However, going through a few basic movements before bed would be a good idea. Your main goal, in this case, is to stretch and relieve the tension in the muscles, caused by the day of work. This exercise would also help get your mind in tune with your body and improve blood flow, which is essential for healthy sleep. - Supplements.
First of all, you should avoid eating heavy meals or drinking any caffeinated beverages before going to bed. A light dinner and some relaxing herbal tea would be perfect. However, when you suffer from chronic insomnia, this may not be enough. In this case, supplements like Melatonin 3mg or 5-HTP 50mg might help. Choose the product carefully and make sure it meets your personal needs. Follow the directions when taking this kind of supplement and watch your body’s reactions carefully.
