What Is Sleep Hygiene And Why Does It Matter?

Today I'm covering the topic of sleep hygiene, what that is as well as some effects this may have on you. 

What is sleep hygiene?
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Sleep hygiene is simply the term used to describe our habits and routines around the sleep/wake cycle.

For example, if you're someone that falls asleep in front of the TV on the sofa or if you're working late and so therefore going to bed late or maybe you rely on having a glass of alcohol to make you feel like you're getting deep sleep, then they are all examples of having an unhealthy sleep hygiene. Not only do they affect the quality of your sleep that night, but they affect how you are the next day as well as your longer-term health. 
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So I'm going to cover three ways that managing your sleep hygiene can affect can affect you holistically. There are many more reasons out there, but I'm just going to cover three because I’d rather keep it simple. 

Firstly, thinking about the emotional effects, how are you after you've not slept well? 

Studies have shown that people are more likely to be stressed, agitated, frustrated if they don’t have regular sleep habits and I think this is something most people can relate to when they've not slept well. Maybe you're more likely to have an argument with your partner or your coworker or get road rage or be short-tempered with your children or be frustrated with yourself for some reason. 
That's an emotional reason to get more sleep.

A mental reason is it can increase your focus. 

Again a situation lots of people can relate to is maybe late at night or when you're tired out, not being able to be clear on the solution to a problem, not being able to find the answer, maybe taking a lot longer to get some work done than it would normally take. And then when you've slept on it, the solution potentially just comes to you or you're a lot more focused, you just get that job done and it's so much easier.

Finally, a physical reason. - A lack of sleep literally affects your hormones, lots of different hormones. But I'm just gonna talk about two that cover your appetite and your weight management. 

Leptin regulates your appetite as well as your metabolism, and because there's a reduction in that, it means you're more likely to feel constantly hungry throughout the day. And ghrelin which tells you when you need to eat and whether you burn the calories or whether you store the calories. There is also an increase in that, therefore your body isn't getting that feedback and so not only are you feeling hungry all day and eating more, you're also more likely to store the energy that you're consuming. 

So three reasons, to consider your sleep habits and see if that's an area for you to make a change and increase your well-being. 
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Anna, 
Owner of Pura Vida Living, 
A well-being company with the mission to keep well-being simple and ensure it's easy for everyone.