How to Sleep Better and Fight Aging
Sleep is vital to keeping the mind and body fresh, rejuvenated, and strong enough to a brand new day. Not getting enough sleep causes three serious physical and mental problems. First: Insufficient sleep results in a weak immune system, making you more susceptible to diseases. Second: Soldiering on with overtime at the office merely powered by energy drinks or coffee means that you are performing your tasks not with a sound mind, but with a significant drop in mental sharpness. Third: Sleep deficiency causes pale skin, puffy eyes, dark circles around your lookers, and an overall lack of attractiveness. Put simply, not getting enough sleep causes your body and mind to age more rapidly than normal.
It is therefore wise to regard a good night’s sleep as a highly potent weapon against aging. Partner it with your other anti-aging therapy methods, and you’re well on your way to busting the undesired effects old age.
But does one get better sleep?
Easy… getting a good night’s sleep is all about naturally regulating your sleep-wake cycle. In fact, it’s all in the substance called melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by your body; this hormone sends signals to your body telling you when you should go to sleep. Melatonin production is managed according to light exposure: When it’s dark, your brain secretes more melatonin to make you feel sleepy. In the morning when there’s much light, your brain produces less melatonin so you remain awake and active. The key to sleeping better is to aid this cycle.
Doing this should be simple enough since you’re merely assisting the natural order of things. But sometimes, the bright night lights or a lack of exposure to much light during the day ruins this harmony.
Luckily, there are some things you can do to keep your brain on a healthy sleeping schedule:
- Take off your sunglasses in the morning and let a little sun hit your face.
- Try to take your work breaks outside and get yourself exposed to some sunlight in the morning. If you can, get up early and exercise outdoors when the sun’s up but is not yet too hot.
- Let the light in! Open up curtains and blinds at your workplace.
- At night, turn off your TV and computer. The lights from a backlit screen (yes, this includes your iPad) suppresses melatonin production. Listen to some soft music instead. If you feel like reading a book, read it using a light source that does not directly blare at your face – try a bedside lamp.
- Sleeping time means lights out.