#LoveYourSleep – Why Getting 8 Hours A Night Is Important

Happy Valentines Day! We know you probably have romance on your mind, but there’s a very important love affair you might be neglecting; the relationship you have with sleep. 

Sleep is the opposite of what most people think about when they think about passion and Valentine’s Day, but it’s vitally important that you invest in the way you feel about it. 

A good night of sleep means falling asleep within 15 – 30 minutes; any sooner than that and you’re sleep deprived. You should sleep reasonably soundly for six to eight hours and feel rested when you wake up. Anything less, and you need to reassess your sleeping habits. And it’s really important that you do. 

Sleep one of the most important things you’ll do every day. If you do it right, you’ll spend a third of your life snoozing. If you’re spending a third of your life doing anything, you should really love it, but we know that sleep doesn’t come easily to everyone. Sometimes it’s all about mindset, so to help you, here are our top 4 reasons why you should love sleep. 

It’s in our nature

Like most mammals, humans sleep because it’s in our nature. But did you know that we’re genetically programmed to sleep when the sun sleeps and wake at dawn?

Your body has a natural circadian rhythm, which means it follows the sun. Technically, you should be settling down to sleep when the sun sets and waking as it rises. That’s not realistic, we know, but the way we live now is not natural. 

If you watch television before bed, or sit with the lights on, or stare at your phone screen, or scroll through social media, you’re messing with your body’s natural rhythm and this could affect your sleep.

If you struggle dropping off on a night, try ditching unnatural light an hour or so before bed. You can also invest in blue-free-lights; the blue in lights stops the body’s production of melatonin and tricks your body into thinking it’s daytime when it’s not. 

The world is changing and people are steering their behaviours towards natural human instinct, so let your sleep pattern follow suit.

 It’s essential for good health

Sleep is as essential for your health as nutritious food and exercise. Science has proven that good sleep helps your organs to perform better, which means you’re at a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses if you get a good eight hours a night. 

Infection fighting cells and antibodies are reduced when you miss out on essential hours of sleep, which means you’re not as good at fighting off common cold and flu viruses. 

Sleep keeps you looking younger

Ever woken up after a bad night of sleep and found it’s taken its toll on the way you look? That’s because sleep is very important for your physical appearance. 

Studies have shown that a lack of sleep causes hanging eyelids, swollen eyes, dark circles, paler skin, and wrinkles. Just one night of poor sleep is enough to cause those symptoms, and in 2017 a study found that two days of sleep restriction impacted perceived attractiveness negatively, so prolonged sleep loss can have a sustained negative impact on the way you look. 

Don’t forget, your body repairs itself when you are asleep and your skin is the biggest organ in the body. A good night of sleep is essential for your epidermis. 

 Sleep is amazing for your mental health

Sleep is a serious business. A lack of sleep leads to extreme fatigue and, if you do it long enough, can cause death. 

If you stop sleeping, you’ll lose concentration and coordination, and see an increase in irritability, appetite and mood swings. Operating heavy machinery, such as a car, comes with an increased risk of causing serious harm to yourself and others. Basically, sleep is essential for your physical health and the safety of those around you.

But did you know that sleep is vital for your mental health, too?

Sleep is a time-out for your busy brain, and a lack of it can cause stress and anxiety, which exacerbate mental health issues and can leave you feeling down and depressed. 

Tips for sleeping

There are over 80 different sleep problems as listed in medical textbooks, but typically problems are fleeting and easily solved. If you’re struggling with insomnia, here are some tips that might help you re-enter snoozeville. 

• Exercise regularly
• Eat three hours before bedtime
• Find a routine for sleep and stick to it
• Avoid using your bed for recreational activities, like watching TV
• Try not to get stressed if you’re struggling to drop off, as this will make it worse.

Sleep is a wonderful thing and there are many benefits to improving your relationship with it. Looking to love your sleep again? Why not overhaul your bed with an Ely mattress? They’re made with natural fibres and come with a 10-year warranty. For more information about our handmade mattresses, visit our homepage.