Inadequate sleep duration and quality may contribute to many chronic health conditions. Research suggests that an average of 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night is optimal. Research also suggests that sleep deprivation is a possible contributary factor to many conditions including; brain dysfunction e.g. memory loss, weight gain, type 2 diabetes, reproductive issues and immune dysregulation.
A good nights’ sleep involves two basic sleep stages; Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and Non-REM sleep. Uninterrupted, quality sleep coasts along; from Non-REM to REM sleep, in what is termed ‘sleep cycles’; occurring, approximately, every 90 minutes.
Further, hormones Cortisol and Melatonin effectively ebb and flow in an optimal sleep cycle. This is known as the Circadian Rhythm; your inner clock that controls when you sleep at night and when you wake in the morning. Getting the Circadian Rhythm right, and helping to facilitate your sleep cycles, may be an essential component of our work together.
By working on your sleep hygiene, we may positively impact your health and wellbeing. Steps may include; stress reduction measures, darkness promotion (Melatonin is made when dark) and/ or nutrient considerations.