Happy New Year!
Like many of us, you may have made a New Year’s Resolution. But wouldn’t it be great to set a single goal which can positively transform several areas of your life?
Did you know that if you sleep better, you can improve your health, wellbeing, and even your relationships? Getting more, better quality sleep might be the most powerful resolution you can set for 2021.
Sleeping well and for long enough directly benefits so many areas of your life. From your weight to your energy levels; your mental health to your day-to-day safety: getting quality sleep is a crucial aspect of life which packs an enormous punch.
Did You Know?
- Regular, adequate, good quality sleep improves your cognitive function, memory, mood, productivity, physical health, healing, safety, and healthy weight maintenance.
- The average adult (aged 18-64) requires 7-9 hours of sleep per night, most nights. For older people aged over 65, 7-8 hours nightly is recommended.
- More than one-third of New Zealanders don’t get enough sleep.
- 37% of New Zealanders get fewer than 7 hours of sleep per night.
- The highest prevalence of poor quality sleep in NZ is amongst Maori and Pacific Islander populations. This has ramifications for health outcomes.
- Lack of sleep is linked to low self-esteem, diminished life satisfaction, psychological distress, and physical illness.
- Personal safety is inhibited significantly by lack of sleep, especially in the workplace and when driving.
Why You Need Enough Sleep
Sleeping enough is critical for your physical and psychological wellbeing.
Sleep enables the brain to process information and to facilitate learning and the formation of new memories. During sleep, the brain releases hormones and other chemicals to control growth, repair and healing, hunger and satiety, digestion, mood stabilisation, blood pressure, respiratory function, blood sugar stabilisation and insulin sensitivity, pain tolerance, and a huge number of other complex physiological processes.
Why Sleep Should Be Your New Year’s Resolution
The exact amount of sleep you need is very personal and while some people perform best on seven hours per night, others need nine. More than this is likely too much sleep, which can have just as much of a negative impact as too little.
With the ideal amount of quality sleep:
- Your energy increases
- Your mood improves
- You wake feeling refreshed
- You won’t experience an afternoon energy slump
- You’ll eat more healthily
- You’ll perform better (both physically and mentally)
- You’ll more easily maintain a healthy weight
- You’ll feel more inclined to exercise
- You’ll make better decisions
- You’ll be safer and less accident-prone
- Your relationships will improve
- Your libido and performance will improve
- You’ll actively reduce your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, Type II diabetes, obesity, sleep apnoea, and cancer.
Getting Better Sleep – 11 Things that Help
Help yourself sleep better:
- Set your body clock with a specific bedtime and waking time and stick to it, even on weekends.
- Wind down before bedtime. Have quiet time, and turn off electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime. Read a book or listen to soft, relaxing music.
- Reduce exposure to blue light – this means no TV or computer in your bedroom. Don’t use your phone in bed – especially not for playing games.
- Darken the room and keep it cool but not cold.
- If you can’t sleep, don’t toss and turn. Get up and do something unstimulating until you feel sleepy, then return to bed.
- Unless you are unwell, avoid naps during the day or early in the evening.
- Don’t allow yourself to doze off in front of the TV.
- Eat healthy, fresh and wholesome food. Drink plenty of fresh water. Don’t have a large meal, alcohol, or caffeine within a few hours of bedtime.
- Try not to sleep in too late on weekends.
- Exercise regularly and try to maintain a healthy weight. If you are obese or overweight, seek help to lose weight.
- Create good bedtime habits – read a book, take a warm bath with a few drops of lavender oil, have a chamomile tea or warm milky drink, meditate, or use a relaxation app to help you wind down before sleep.
See your GP for help with anxiety, depression, stress, allergies, insomnia, and snoring or sleep apnoea. All of these are legitimate health conditions which may disrupt sleep. They can all be effectively treated and overcome.
Choose ApneaRx for Better Sleep in 2021
Do you want to feel healthier, happier, calmer, and be safer and perform better in all areas of your life this year? Sleeping better can help you achieve this!
One thing that can certainly help you to sleep better is to stop snoring.
ApneaRX is the NZ brand of a reputable, scientifically-engineered, medically-proven and convenient solution to help you stop snoring. It is a mandibular adjustment device which is worn in the mouth during sleep. ApneaRX works by gently repositioning the lower jaw, which opens the airways for easier breathing. This minimises or stops snoring.
Recommended by Sleep Clinics and Pharmacists worldwide, ApneaRX is budget-friendly and reusable. It can be used by anyone over the age of 18 years and it is comfortable and safe to wear.
Succeed with your 2021 New Year’s resolution and sleep better by stopping snoring. Place your order now!
To learn more, visit our website https://apnearx.co.nz/ or call 0800 111 325.
