Sleep Smarter: How to Optimise Your Sleep

Sleep is heavily undervalued in our society. It is estimated that about a third of the world's population experiences sleep deprivation. 

 

Getting enough sleep isn't only about the number of hours you are sleeping for but also about the quality of those hours.

 

Short-term effects of sleep deprivation can lead to unhealthy food cravings and bad moods. Long-term effects of sleep deprivation have much darker consequences. 

 

Long-term sleep deprivation is associated with almost every chronic disease there is, such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's and even obesity!

 

Lack of sleep puts stress on the body and also negatively impacts brain functions, including memory, decision-making, and learning.

How Your Bad Sleep Habits are Making You Gain Weight. 

Poor sleep increases your appetite and cravings for highly refined carbohydrates like sweets, pastries, snacks, and sugary drinks.

  

This is because your body is constantly looking for a quick energy boost as your energy is low. 

 

When you are sleep-deprived your body’s metabolism also slows down. This is because your body is also trying to conserve energy.

The Main Reason Why People are Losing Sleep

Your Circadian rhythm is your body's natural sleep-wake cycle, also known as your "body clock".

 

As the sun sets, your brain tells your body to release melatonin, which makes you sleepy and ready for bed. When the sun rises your body stops releasing melatonin and releases Cortisol to boost energy and wake you up. 

 

As you can imagine, nowadays a lot of the time our bodies have no idea when it is daytime and when it is night-time. We are constantly exposed to unnatural light at night which decreases our melatonin. 

 

Most of us don’t get enough sunlight during the day, especially in the morning, negatively affecting cortisol production. (Too much cortisol is bad, and too little is also bad). 
 

At night, the blue light from your cellphone or TV, causes your brain to decrease melatonin production. The blue light causes your body to think that it's daytime, and it releases cortisol instead of melatonin, making it much harder to fall asleep. Even if you do fall asleep, your sleep quality is much poorer.

Best Ways to Improve Your Sleep:

1. Have Caffeine Before Noon

Caffeine stays in your system for at least 6 hours, so if you drink a cup of coffee at 3 pm, the caffeine will still be in your system at 9 pm. It depends on what time you plan to fall asleep, but as a rule of thumb, try not to consume caffeine after 12:00 p.m. 

 

Even if you manage to fall asleep after consuming caffeine, your sleep quality is poorer. Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others, but it still affects everyone, even if you don't notice it as much.

2. Avoid Digital Blue Light 90 minutes before bed.

If you struggle to avoid blue light an hour and a half before you sleep, try making smaller changes at first.

 

  • Change the setting on your device to a warmer, dimmer display, such as “night shift” on Apple devices. 
  • Get yourself a pair of Anti Blue Light Glasses. (We’ve tried the ones from Cotton On, they work well and they only cost R150, but feel free to do your own research.)
  • Start by avoiding Blue Light for just 30 minutes before bed.

3. Expose Yourself to Morning Light

Exposing yourself to morning light helps you sleep better in the evening. It does this by helping you set your circadian rhythm, which regulates your sleep-wake cycle.

4. Exercise in the Morning

Exercise will also help regulate your circadian rhythm. Moving your body in the morning helps improve sleep at night, it helps align your body to feel alert during the day and naturally wind down in the evening

5. Try to go to Sleep at the Same Time Every Night.

If you have a “wake up” alarm, you should probably also have a “go to sleep” alarm.

 

If you have significant fluctuations in your bedtime every night but you still wake up at the same time every day, your sleep will take a toll. Going to bed on time also helps regulate your circadian rhythm.

6. Make Sure your Room Temperature is Cool.

When it’s time for your body to rest, your core body temperature automatically drops to help initiate sleep. If your room is too hot, it can take longer for your core body temperature to drop, which will affect your sleep.

 

*Exercise should also be avoided later in the evening, as it takes longer for the body to cool down after a workout.

7. Quieten your mind before bed 

 If you are doing everything right, but your mind is racing right before you go to bed, you will find it difficult to sleep. 

 

We suggest distracting yourself from these thoughts in a way that works for you. 

 

  • Read
  • Listen to a podcast or audiobook
  • Guided meditation. 
  • Have a cup of tea (non-caffeinated)
  • Stretch/Yoga
     

8. Limit Alcohol and Other Unnatural Sedatives

Sleep is significantly disrupted by alcohol being in your system. You won’t be able to fall into deeper levels of sleep, and your brain and body won’t be able to rejuvenate fully. Alcohol helps sedate you, but being sedated and having good quality sleep are two very different things. 

9. Take Valerian Root, Hops, Chamomile & Passion Flower.

Valerian Root reduces the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, as well as improves sleep quality.

 

Hops is most commonly found in beer but also has sedative effects.

 

Chamomile is widely regarded as a mild tranquilizer and sleep-inducer.

 

Passionflower boosts the level of GABA in your brain. This compound lowers brain activity, which can help you relax and sleep better.

 

 

Find these ingredients in Sleepy Caps.

Natural Supplements to Help You Sleep
Sleepy Caps from The Herbalist assist in reducing stress, promoting deep sleep, and improving next-day energy.

Sleepy Caps 60 Capsules

R 149.95
The Herbalist Red Kratom Capsules – Natural herbal supplement for pain relief, sleep support, stress reduction, and calming relaxation.

Red Kratom 60 Capsules

R 249.95
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Disclaimer:

Reader assumes the responsibility to consult health care practitioners or do their own research regarding any products which claim to support and maintain health and general wellbeing and which concur with their beliefs and understanding. Regards, The Herbalist International (Pty) Ltd