Description
Sleep hygiene, comprising habits and environmental factors influencing sleep quality, profoundly impacts overall health. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule, cultivating a comfortable sleep environment, and minimizing stimulants pre-bedtime are pivotal. Neglecting these practices can result in sleep disorders, compromised cognitive function, and heightened susceptibility to chronic ailments. Prioritizing optimal sleep hygiene is essential for fostering physical and mental well-being, elevating daily productivity, and mitigating the risk of enduring health issues.
Summary Listen
- Sleep is an active state of unconsciousness, vital for physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Its assessment involves evaluating sleep duration, timing, and quality. Optimal sleep duration varies by age, with adults needing 7-9 hours. Sleep disorders can lead to presentism, increased accident risk, and higher mortality.
- The circadian rhythm, a 24-hour biological pattern, plays a crucial role in sleep. Central and peripheral clocks, influenced by light/dark and feeding/fasting cycles, regulate physiological processes and hormone release. Sleep consists of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) stages, each with distinct functions and varying proportions throughout the night.
- Sleep disturbances include difficulty falling asleep, maintaining sleep, early awakening, and daytime fatigue. Medical and medication history must be considered when evaluating sleep disturbances. Neurotransmitters like adenosine and melatonin are crucial for regulating sleep.
- Sleep hygiene involves healthy habits promoting good sleep, encompassing environment, habits, and behaviors. Key constructs include prioritizing sleep, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, forming healthy bedtime routines, and optimizing the sleep environment. Light/dark cycles, caffeine, exercise, food intake, naps, alcohol, nicotine, and stress management also influence sleep hygiene.
- Preparing for good sleep involves sunlight exposure, regular exercise, hydration, and limiting caffeine and screen time. Relaxation techniques, m-health apps, and technology detox are also helpful. Sleep disruption impacts metabolic processes, autonomic functions, endocrine functions, and mental/emotional health.
- Practical strategies for addressing sleep initiation, maintenance, and early awakening issues were discussed. These involve adjusting routines, optimizing sleep environments, and seeking professional help when needed.
Sample Certificate
About the Speakers
Dr Anjali Nakra
Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Founder of Path to Health clinic
Comments
Comments
You must be logged in to leave a comment.