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How Restful Sleep Benefits Our Overall Health

“Hitting the hay”, “catching some Z’s”, “getting some shuteye” and “crashing”. These are all euphemisms for something every one of us does on a daily basis. Going to sleep is a mandatory part of living. We don’t just get tired and need to sleep in order to get re-energized. Sleep is a necessary part of maintaining optimum overall health.

It improves social and emotional intelligence.

Have you ever gotten angry because you were tired? It happens to all of us. Being sleep deprived is a top way to get into a bad mood. Not to mention, extreme fatigue can cause you to improperly judge the feelings and actions of others. Writing for Medical News Today, Jenna Fletcher explains that sleep has links to people’s emotional and social intelligence.

“Someone who does not get adequate sleep is more likely to have issues with recognizing other people’s emotions and expressions,” she notes, “For example, one study in the Journal of Sleep Research looked at people’s responses to emotional stimuli. The researchers concluded, similarly to many earlier studies, that a person’s emotional empathy is less when they do not get adequate sleep.”

It helps to boost concentration and productivity.

Let’s be honest. How functional are we when we’re dead tired? Being sleepy can make our minds foggy, cause confusion and even worry. We don’t need research to convince us that getting a good night’s sleep is important for adequate brain function. Nevertheless, studies do show that cognition, concentration, productivity and performance are all negatively affected by sleep deprivation.

“A specific study on overworked physicians provides a good example,” reports Joe Leech on Healthline.com, “It found that doctors with moderate, high, and very high sleep-related impairment were 54%, 96%, and 97% more likely to report clinically significant medical errors. On a similar note, getting enough sleep can improve academic performance in children, adolescents, and young adults.”

It aids in preventing disease.

Did you know that you have a “circadian rhythm”? The term refers to the 24-hour cycles that our bodies have. It is also known as the body’s internal clock. The circadian rhythm can also refer to our sleep-wake cycle. The majority of adults need at least seven hours of sleep every night. Without it, explains SleepFoundation.org, we can be prone to attention lapses, reduced cognition, delayed reactions and mood shifts.

“It’s also been suggested that people can develop a sort of tolerance to chronic sleep deprivation,” informs the website, “Even though their brains and bodies struggle due to lack of sleep, they may not be aware of their own deficiencies because less sleep feels normal to them. Additionally, lack of sleep has been linked to a higher risk for certain diseases and medical conditions.”

At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we highly recommend Orthex support pillows to those who have trouble sleeping. For side sleepers, they offer excellent knee and ankle support. For back sleepers, they provide great lumbar support. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!

Be sure to also ask us about our Support Beds! For a limited time, a support bed purchase will get you a free pillow!

Other Useful Information

Bathroom Safety 101: Protecting Seniors From Slippery Situations

Bathroom Safety 101: Protecting Seniors From Slippery Situations

When it comes to bathroom safety, it should go without saying that the mobility issues experienced by older adults can make bathroom visits dangerous. Slippery floors, tight spaces and hard surfaces can make the bathroom a potentially hazardous area of the home. However, with a few simple modifications and precautions, older adults can maintain their independence and stay safe while using their bathrooms.