Nature teaches us that there is time for everything, and that includes time for sleep.
Sleep is vital for our health and development, just like eating, breathing and drinking. The human body is designed for rest and work, excess work and sleep are detrimental to the body and can lead to the body breaking down. The amount of sleep we get daily affects our stress and our mental levels, and which in turn affects our productivity and concentration.
Even our factory machines have their start up and shut down time, how much more the human body. Each time we have a good sleep, we wake up feeling better. The body heals during sleep and helps us maintain a healthy hormone. Most cases of heart attack, high blood pressure, diabetes, are related sleep deprivation.
Sleep is affected by a compound called adenosine. The level of adenosine in our brain continues to increases while we are awake and while we sleep, the body breaks down adenosine.
Sleep improves learning and problem solving ability. Most times when we sleep over a problem, we find inspiration on how to go about it the following day.
An adult needs 7 to 8 hours of sleep in a day. Teenagers and children need more hour of sleep than adults.
Tips to improve sleep habits
Develop a sleep schedule and keep to routine.
Limit your working time.
Practice meditation before going to bed. Avoid energetic workouts and stay off bright artificial light, from television or computer screen. Such light may sent a different signal to the brain to be awake.
Avoid heavy meals few hours to bedtime.
Keep your sleeping area quiet, cool, and neat