Genetics aside, research is increasingly citing the stress of modern life as a primary contributor to many serious diseases, including cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. People are now turning to nutrition, exercise and relaxation to redress the health imbalances that a stressful life creates.
Advertisement
However, experts are now starting to believe that not enough attention is being paid to our sleeping habits, which can also act as an important tool in remaining healthy. In a nutshell, it has been discovered that effective sleep can be as important as getting five portions of fruit and veggies and half an hour of exercise every day.
Get enough sleep
The first step in overhauling our sleeping habits must be to ensure that we get enough sleep. Specialists recommend at least six to eight hours of effective sleep every day. They do, however, emphasise that it is pointless getting the right amount of bad sleep.
Veena Kander, sleep expert from Cape Town’s Sigma Sleep Diagnostics Centre explains why: “During the night, it is essential for the body to go through at least four R.E.M (rapid eye movement) sleep cycles in order to be fully functional the next day. The average time needed to complete four cycles is a minimum of 6 hours.”
But why do we need four cycles of R.E.M sleep? During R.E.M phase, we dream. There are a number of theories on the mechanics of dreaming, but most mention the fact that dreaming is an important process used to deal with stress and to rejuvenate the mind and body in preparation for the next day.
It is essential, therefore, that our R.E.M sleep is peaceful and uninterrupted. The temporary semi-paralysis that ensues during R.E.M means that we cannot adjust our position to make ourselves more comfortable, therefore we need to be comfortable already.
Set the temperature
Poikilothermia also begins during R.E.M. This is a condition associated with fluctuating body temperatures, and particularly the drop of our core body temperature. Again, it is important that we are not too hot or too cold when this happens, as this can disturb the cycle.
Temperature is, in fact, one of the most important factors at play in getting a good night's sleep. The easiest way to ensure that your temperature is stable and correct, is to look at your sleeping accessories.
Martin Chesno of the Mulberry Silk Duvet company and Kander concur on the benefits of silk in ensuring the right body temperature. “The ideal duvet is one that keeps you warm when it's cold, cool when it's hot and allows your skin to breathe at all times,” says Chesno.
He goes on to explain that when it comes to duvets, it is often believed that the thicker and heavier a duvet, the warmer it is. However, this is not the case. Often a heavy, thick duvet will absorb the heat, instead of allowing the air under the duvet to conduct the heat.
The benefits of silk
The temperature-sensitive fibre of silk allows the air to conduct the heat, so it traps warm air in, and sheds excess heat if the room's atmospheric temperature is hot (as in Summer).
Other than temperature and comfort, uninterrupted breathing is also very important in getting an easy night's sleep. Silk is completely hypoallergenic - it does not host mould or mildew and does not contain any harmful trace chemicals.
For this reason it is often recommended to those suffering from allergies and hay-fevers that are exacerbated by feathers and certain trace chemicals. It allows for sneeze-free, unhindered breathing and therefore restful sleep.
It is even helpful for those who suffer from rheumatism, as the hygroscopic nature of silk draws dampness away from the sleeper's skin, removing the moisture that can often trigger the symptoms of rheumatism.
Although there are many places to begin when rethinking your sleeping habits, blankets and duvets are probably the most convenient place to start. Chesno remarks that people will be astounded by the difference just changing your duvet, can make to your sleep.
Chesno and Kander agree - although the benefits of a healthy waking lifestyle are undeniable in the fight against stress, bad sleeping habits are enough to cancel out all the healthy endeavours in the world.
Bookmark with:
What are social bookmarks?