Who needs sleep?

Collectively we humans know a thing or two about staying alive. As our species continues to flourish on planet Earth our life spans have grown longer and longer; we are now living in an era where the average human will live comfortably into their 70’s, not bad when you consider that no country in the world had an average life expectancy this high only 60 years ago.

We can attribute such an increase in life expectancy to more nutritious and stable food supplies, advancements in medicine, and a better general awareness of what is ‘healthy’ and what is not. Today we are acutely aware of all the dangers hidden in daily life that can negatively affect our health. Fatty foods, refined sugars, and a lack of exercise are well-known causes of an early grave.

Despite a radical surge in awareness of personal health, one piece of the wellbeing puzzle is only now being better understood; sleep. Sleep has a profound effect on our daily lives and our health, from the regulation of hormones to the repair of muscle tissue, sleep is a vital part of not just healthy living, but staying alive in general.

On the path towards a healthier life, the role of nutrition is well understood, but what about sleep? How much do we need? Do we need the most comfortable mattress? Should we even be sleeping on a mattress at all?

Cycles.

The often touted “8 hours of sleep” seems to be fairly accurate for an average adult under the age of 65. During these 8 hours of sleep, our body should hopefully go through several different cycles of slumber. These cycles are still being researched, but we do know that deep sleep, the sleep responsible for repairing cells and rejuvenating us, only occurs for less than thirty percent of the time we are asleep.

To enter into this deep sleep, we need to progress through two stages that relax our body, and if these stages are interrupted, its back to square one. It’s possible to sleep for ten hours and never enter that deep, restorative sleep if that keeps happening, your health could start to deteriorate.

Going deep.

The effects of having no sleep are obvious and downright scary. Fatigue is one of the biggest contributors to death and should be avoided at all costs. So, we need to enter a deep sleep for our bodies and minds to recharge, how do we ensure that this happens?

While we don’t NEED to sleep on a mattress, the support a good quality mattress like this Sealy Posturepedic super king will help you relax into a deep sleep every time. A supportive mattress can help you live a healthier life for sure, but there are many ways of ensuring you get sufficient shut-eye each night.

A balanced diet and regular exercise, what can’t they solve? With boring predictability, a healthy lifestyle is conducive to a good night’s sleep. Avoiding fatty foods, alcohol, and sugar is ideal, but if you can’t shake the junk food, at least abstain two hours before bedtime for a night of uninterrupted sleep.

On the quest for max health, many people will stick like glue to a diet and exercise routine and fall short. Sleep is most often the missing piece, and it’s important that we get enough of it. A good night’s sleep gives you energy and focus, a welcome contrast to the foggy lethargy of uncomfortable, interrupted sleep. Cleaning up your diet and keeping active will help, but for a good night’s sleep every time, get yourself a good quality mattress.

Who needs sleep? We all do, but we rarely get enough of it.