Sleep is vital to the human body. It is more than just downtime. It is an essential process that impacts all aspects of our wellbeing. During sleep, our bodies can engage their natural repair and rejuvenation processes, producing hormones that help regulate the body physically, mentally and emotionally. There’s a reason we spend a third of our lives doing it!
Why Your Body Needs Sleep
Sleep is a cornerstone of wellness. It’s the body’s natural time for healing, forming an essential part of our daily cycle and plays a role in the proper functioning of all the body’s systems. A lack of sleep and this period of rejuvenation may negatively affect a person’s physiological, psychological, psychosocial and cognitive health.
Sleep is essential throughout all stages of life. It helps facilitate the release of hormones vital to the growth and development of children and teenagers and continues to help maintain our bodies and health as we age.
Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep
With the body’s rest and recovery processes predominantly occurring during sleep, a good night’s sleep can be associated with a vast range of health benefits. Several are included below:
- Reduced Risk of Mental Health Problems: The Sleep Health Foundation has reported that sleep disturbances and mental health problems can be significant risk factors for each other. Consistently getting a good night’s sleep can reduce the risk of developing associated mental health problems.
- Improved Cognitive Ability: A lack of sleep has been linked to reduced cognitive ability, including poorer judgement, reduced reaction times and an inability to concentrate or use memory effectively. A good night’s sleep aids us in concentrating and learning new information.
- Physical Recovery: Sleep supports muscle and tissue repair as well as the release of growth hormones for physical development.
- Improved Gut Health: Studies have linked sleep and gut health, with insufficient sleep associated with detrimental changes to our gut microbiome, including the reduction of beneficial bacteria.
- Enhanced Hormone Balance: During sleep, a variety of hormones are released, including hormones affecting stress, fertility, mood and more. A good night’s sleep helps prevent hormonal imbalances and the associated negative effects. By balancing your hormones, sleep can reduce stress and improve your mood.
The benefits of sleep are wide-ranging and interconnected with each aspect of your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. All of which help make sleep an essential concern in holistic care.
Natural Therapies For Sleep
If you ever find yourself struggling with sleep, consider establishing a consistent bedtime routine and sleep schedule. One that includes some of these 20 ways to ensure a good night’s rest, such as limiting your screen time and relaxing with herbal tea or a bath, to help prepare your body for rest and to regulate its internal clock.
You might also consider visiting a naturopath for advice on herbs and supplements, such as melatonin, valerian root or magnesium, that have been found to have sleep-promoting properties.
The practitioners at the Karrinyup Wellness Centre have a wealth of experience in holistic health and wellness treatments, so if you’re experiencing pain, stress or an imbalance that is affecting your sleep, book an appointment with one of our practitioners or contact the centre for more information on how we can be of assistance.
