After all, what is the function of sleep? – GOOD SHAPE

Doctors and specialists always talk how essential sleep is for good health. And sometimes this information goes unnoticed in our lives, left aside because of work, social life, children… Of course, unforeseen events always happen, but there is a reason why we spend almost a third of our lives sleeping.

Let’s start by parts:

WHY DO WE SLEEP?

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According to the psychiatrist Maria Francisca Maurosleep has a function of restitution of our capacity, both mental and physical. “During this interval of hours, changes occur in our mental state that allow a different way for our brain to communicate”, she says. “If in the waking state, when we are awake, our brain waves are activation, throughout the night of sleep our brain waves are interspersed, both activation and rest.”

With a much lower energy expenditure, we rest and restore our energy. It is also during sleep that the body modifies the chemical signals mediated by hormones, regulating the entire hormonal distribution of the organism – that is, sleeping is really a holy medicine.

“When we sleep, our rhythm changes from faster to slower brain waves, and our sleep architecture is an alternation of brain rhythms that provide a change between different levels of depth of falling asleep throughout the night”, he continues.

HOW DOES SLEEP INFLUENCE OUR WELL-BEING?

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If sleeping is a strong remedy for the body, it is already possible to imagine why it directly interferes with a person’s well-being, right? According to the psychiatrist, it mainly influences the feeling of being energetic and willing to take on and face the day. In addition, it also helps the person to have a feeling that they are relaxed and have had a satisfactory cycle of rest.

“Sleep is a sensitive activity for all our body functions and having them preserved is a marker of good health”, he explains.

By the way, don’t believe that sleeping is a waste of time – or that little sleep is the secret to being professionally successful. Even mid-afternoon naps are not advised. The ideal, even, is to allow the body to follow the circadian cycle and rest completely and for a long period, without interruptions, so that it brings all its benefits. And, after all, what are they?

Cellular restoration (of muscles and tissues, for example);
Regulation of brain functions (consolidating memories and learning experienced on the day);
mood regulation (greater sense of well-being);
Weight maintenance;
Maintenance of immunity;
Regulation of heart functions (avoiding high blood pressure, for example).

Lack of sleep, of course, causes the opposite of all this: it contributes to weight changes and uncontrolled blood pressure, worsens stress and feelings of mental and physical exhaustion, generates concentration difficulties and changes in appetite (the famous quest for “tastier” foods).

HOW TO CREATE A HEALTHY SLEEP ROUTINE?

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“Respect the body’s signals and needs. Create a routine that respects your limits, both physical and mental”, says the psychiatrist. “Sleep is not a ‘luxury’, but a vital necessity for our entire organism, and it needs to be a time when we can protect ourselves so that we can reintegrate.”

The ideal, therefore, is to reverse the view we have of sleep. Instead of a “waste of time”, try to see it as a tool that will help you to improve your performance in all areas of life. “Both its excess and lack can be indicative that we are not in balance”, he continues.

To create your own sleep routineyou can follow the tips below:

Have wake-up and sleep times every day (avoid social jet lag!);
Avoid screens for at least an hour before going to bed;
Opt for lighter meals at night;
Opt for evening relaxation rituals like stretching, yoga or a warm bath.

The main thing, says Maria Francisca, is to understand your demands at the moment, be it studies or work, to allow yourself to truly relax, even more than just sticking to schedules, for example. “Without a doubt, it is a commitment for everyone to be able to understand what time they need to wake up and how they can organize their day in the best way”, he concludes.