How sleep affects your immune systems...
We often underestimate the importance of sleep and the benefits it brings. We live in a fast-paced world where something is always going on 24-hours a day, and sleep is often overlooked.
Chiropractors know that there are 6 foundational pillars to good health: sleep, exercise, nutrition, good posture, psychological well-being, and a properly functioning nervous system. When you lose any of these it can result in accelerated loss of health, vitality, and energy, which can lead to fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, illness, and a host of other unhealthy conditions.
Benefits of Sleep
Sleep is where our bodies and organs are restored and prepared to take on the next day. Want to lose weight? Sleep helps control your appetite by regulating your leptin and ghrelin hormone levels. Want a healthy immune system? Get some sleep.
There are different stages of sleep, our bodies experience the deepest and most restorative sleep in the REM stage.
Blood pressure drops
Recover from exercise occurs
Tissue growth and repair happens
Blood supply to our muscles is increased
Energy is restored
Hormones, such as growth hormones to help growth and development, are released
Organs recharge
Lack of sleep is a major problem for many people. There are a myriad of problems that can result from sleep deprivation.
Memory difficulties.
Weakened immune system.
Slower healing from injuries or diseases.
Difficulty making simple decisions.
Disruption of the circadian rhythm at the cellular level.
Increased risk of diabetes due to higher blood sugar levels.
Accelerated aging.
Increased risk of cancer.
High blood pressure and hypertension.
Clumsiness and poor motor control.
Weakened immune system.
Slower healing from injuries or diseases.
Hypersensitivity and irritability.
Tips for a Good Night's Sleep
Chiropractic Adjustments help you fall to sleep quicker and have a more restful, deeper sleep.
Exercise helps you sleep better, have more energy, and control your weight better. It is recommended to avoid exercising right before going to bed since a raised heart rate can interfere with falling asleep.
Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening.
Don't eat late at night. Your organs need to recover at night, not process food.
Avoid watching TV, using a computer, smartphone, or video games for at least an hour before going to bed.
Develop healthy sleep routines.
