Good sleep quality is a key part of maintaining good health. This article discussed the basic signs of good sleep quality, how it impacts health and the holistic methods used to improve sleep quality.
Sleep quality strongly influences human health. There is no need to explain how individuals feel after periods of sleep deprivation: it is a struggle to stay awake; focus suffers; moods become irritable and depressed; errors of judgement and memory issues creep in. Ultimately chronic physical and mental illness occurs.
Sleep quality is heavily dependent on physical comfort - from the feeling of the room and bed such as noise, light and air quality, electromagnetic radiation from electronic devices, to breathing difficulties, pain issues and other health issues.
Lastly but not least, psychological discomfort! Going to bed with worries, anguish, anger etc. can exert its toll on sleep quality.
Sleep and wake times are influenced by sunlight (diurnal rhythm). The body achieves this by secreting hormones that influence the mood to do things. Cortisol (which promotes physical activity and arousal) is highest in the morning and drops off during the day. Melatonin (which promotes sleep) rises sharply in the late evening and drops off in the early morning hours.
The sleep cycle also needs to match the maintenance needs of the body. Most individuals need between 7 and 9 hours sleep to maintain good health. The duration of sleep can influenced by the activities of the previous days and recovery from acute illness.
During the day the human body focusses its energy on movement, feeding, communication, experiencing and acquiring information.
During sleep, the human body switches its priorities to nurturing, digesting and repairing itself, and processing the events of the day and developing long term memory. For example, sleep is the time when the digestive system is most active; skin and hair grow; the brain is rebalancing its chemistry; worn out tissues are repaired, healthy tissues are being nourished; toxins are being eliminated and the correct chemical balance is being put in place for the next day’s challenge.
Holistic treatment of poor sleep can be multidisciplinary (input of more than one health professional). Within the ANHH clinic, the assessment process includes checking the environmental, physical and psychological factors at play. Pathology testing such as that for hormone balance, heavy metal accumulation is used when necessary.
Herbs and nutrients are used to balance sleep cycles, manage pain and mental discomfort. Homeopathic remedies are used when there are entrenched symptoms. Home visits are reserved for situations where the issue appears environmental.
