The amount and quality of sleep we get have a profound impact on our overall health. Unfortunately, we live in a day and age that isn’t particularly conducive to sleep. Busy schedules, digital devices, and other modern-day distractions have made it more difficult to make sleep a top priority. As a result, multiple worldwide studies suggest that up to 50% of the population suffers from insomnia.
One especially important factor that contributes to the quantity and quality of your sleep is your circadian rhythm or your body’s natural 24-hour sleep/wake cycle. Circadian rhythm is not only hardwired into human beings but the rest of the animal kingdom and plants as well.
Several things in our modern environment disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm. First and foremost is artificial light. Turning on artificial light at night shortens the dark cycle, making it difficult to get enough restful sleep. Blue light, which is found in digital devices, can be particularly damaging at night because it suppresses melatonin production significantly.
Other factors that affect the quality of sleep include alcohol and caffeine consumption, lack of exercise, poor blood sugar control, and excess stress. Good sleep hygiene such as limiting alcohol, avoiding caffeine in the evening, sleeping in a quiet, dark, cool room, removing digital devices from the bedroom, and getting regular exercise during the day can help you reset your body’s biological clock, improving both your quantity and quality of sleep.
Further Reading:
7 Best Essential Oils for Sleep
Learn about Common Sleep Issues & Tips for a Better Night’s Rest
These Essential Oils May Help with Sleep Apnea
5 Supplements for Sleep Apnea
How to Get to Sleep in 5 Minutes or Less