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Stress can impact your quality of life, sleep, and energy. It can have a severe effect on your physical, emotional, and mental health. Although it is recommended to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night, many people do not get enough. Getting anything less than this can affect many bodily processes needed for optimal bodily function.
Not only does it affect the way your body operates, it can also cause negative moods, difficulty concentrating, and low energy levels. A lack of sleep regularly can have severe consequences, depending on your lifestyle.
Based on a report by CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), people who sleep less than 7 hours a night can increase the risk of the following conditions:
Obesity
Heart disease
Stroke
Diabetes
Depression
Although there are many factors that contribute to developing these conditions, sleep deprivation can definitely advance their progression of them.
When stress arises it causes the automatic nervous system to release hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones cause the heart rate to increase and promote blood flow to prepare the body to take immediate action if necessary.
This reaction is commonly known as the fight or flight response and was vital for human survival during earlier stages of evolution. Despite the fact that stress can protect us from dangerous situations, many times the fight-or-flight response is triggered without a life-threatening situation being present.
Unfortunately, this state of being can be a reality for many people and can increase the risk of sleep deprivation. High-stress levels throughout the day can cause a delay in falling asleep and rapid, anxious thoughts at night. Which then causes more stress on your body because you are not getting enough sleep.
Reducing stress to improve your sleep and energy levels can be extremely challenging. That is why identifying the source of your stress is foundational. Understanding the triggers of your stress can help you make the necessary adjustments to feel your best.
Lowering stress levels, especially in the evening before bed, can help you improve your quality of sleep and increase your energy. Here are my top three tips to reduce your stress…
Mindfulness Meditation This relaxing technique aims to help people become more aware of the present moment. The idea is being able to acknowledge your thoughts, feelings, and sensations happening within your body without becoming reactive to them. Research shows that this technique can do wonders for your mental and emotional health. Practicing this for at least 10-30 minutes before bed can reduce stress levels and improve your sleep quality.
Exercise Physical exercise can improve your health overall, including your psychological well-being. Studies suggest that a regular exercise regime can be a wonderful tool to reduce stress and anxiety. Generally, I recommend engaging in any type of exercise for at least 30 minutes daily. Get Help
Each and every person on this planet has a unique health puzzle and can really benefit from personalized health solutions. This is what my team and I do in my online practice, The Lifestyle Clinic. We help people address their health concerns like sleep, stress, and fatigue, naturally through positive, healthy lifestyle changes. Click here for more information!
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Check out SLEEPGUARD my favorite supplement made with herbs for improving relaxation and sleep quality at night!
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