Sleep
In today's hectic world, deep and restorative sleep is of paramount importance to our health and overall well-being. To promote a healthy sleep cycle and improve the quality of our night's rest, it is important to achieve peaceful and restorative sleep phases. Fortunately, there are various methods to support this: A conscious diet rich in sleep-promoting nutrients such as L-tryptophan, magnesium and melatonin can have a positive impact on sleep quality. These nutrients provide gentle and natural support to promote restful sleep.
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Tips and tricks for restful sleep
But how does sleep affect our body, and what role does the right bed play? Are there effective tips to help you fall asleep faster and how can you wind down more easily in bed at night? This article gives you comprehensive insights into the subject of sleep and provides answers to the most important questions.
How does sleep affect the human body?
Why do people sleep at night in the first place? In short, sleep affects every cell in our body. During this regeneration phase, energy reserves are replenished, the immune system is strengthened and the metabolism is regulated. Our body takes care of healthy brain function and physical health at night [4]. Sleepless nights are therefore not only bad for our mood, but also for our body.
For children and adolescents, a restful night is even more important, as sleep supports growth and development. Not getting enough sleep over a long period of time can increase the risk of chronic and long-term health problems [4].
A person goes through different sleep cycles during the night, from light napping to deep, restorative sleep. During sleep, the body produces growth hormones, supports cell renewal and consolidates what has been learnt during the day. In addition, the release of cortisol, noradrenaline and adrenaline decreases [2]. Sleep is essential for us humans, so it is all the better if we sleep well and restfully.
What role does the right bed play in sleep?
A suitable bed is crucial for a good night's sleep. The mattress should meet individual needs, be it for side, stomach or back sleepers. The degree of firmness is important to make the many hours you spend in bed as comfortable as possible.
The choice of pillow and duvet is also important to optimise comfort when sleeping. Make sure that the pillow is suitable for your preferred sleeping position. The right bed promotes an anatomically correct lying position and minimises pressure points that can lead to sleep disorders.
Find sleep better with these 6 tips!
The good news: There are proven tips to help you fall asleep faster. If you suffer from problems falling asleep , these tips can help you to calm down better in the evening and ideally fall asleep quickly. It's best to combine the tips .
1. Regular bedtime: If you always go to bed at the same time every night, your body will learn to fall asleep quickly over time. A regular bedtime also supports the natural biological processes in the body and promotes optimal physical and mental health [6].
2. Fixed ritual before going to bed: With a fixed ritual before going to sleep, e.g. relaxation exercises or reading, you signal to your body that it is time to relax. This not only helps you fall asleep, but can also have a positive effect on your general well-being [6].
3. Pleasant sleeping environment: Create a pleasant sleeping environment by darkening and a pleasant room temperature. If it's too bright at night, this inhibits melatonin production, which plays an important role in sleep [3,6].
4. Relaxation techniques: Breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation or gentle music can help you fall asleep [6].
5. Journaling: Do your thoughts keep spinning, you just can't find peace and you can't fall asleep at all? Then grab a pen and paper. Write down your worries , jot down a beautiful moment of the day or record your thoughts about the day ahead in a to-do list. This clears your head.
6. Melatonin: Supplements containing melatonin can help to shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and normalise sleep quality [3].
What can disrupt sleep?
In order to promote restful sleep and improved sleep quality, it makes sense to develop conscious evening habits and minimise disruptive factors. Create a pleasant sleeping environment by making your bedroom quiet, dark and comfortable.
Reduce use of electronic devices one hour before bedtime to minimise the negative impact of blue light on your sleep rhythm [6]. Avoid the consumption of caffeinated drinks and alcohol in the evening to support undisturbed sleep [6]. Maintain a regular sleep schedule and incorporate relaxing activities into your evening routine, such as reading, light stretching or listening to soothing music.
By implementing these habits, you minimise disruptive factors and not only promote better sleep in the evening, but also a healthy sleep-wake cycle and the quality of your sleep.
How to treat persistent sleep disorders
A healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise can have a positive impact on your sleep. Good sleep hygiene with relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga can help to reduce stress.
Nutritional supplements with melatonin or tryptophan can also help with sleep [2,3]. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, while tryptophan is a precursor of serotonin, which is converted into melatonin. You can find more information about tryptophan in our article: /en/blog/tryptophan-fuer-wohlbefinden-und-schlaf
If you have persistent sleep problems, especially if you suspect specific sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea or insomnia, it is advisable to seek medical advice. A sleep laboratory with monitoring of your sleep is a sensible option [5]. It enables a more precise diagnosis or the exclusion of possible health causes for your sleep problems. For insomnia, sleep hygiene is usually supplemented with cognitive behavioural therapy and medication [7], sleep apnoea usually requires a respiratory support device, a sleep splint for the lower jaw or surgery [8].
Why is going to bed regularly important for sleep quality?
A regular sleep rhythm stabilises the biological internal clock and supports healthy sleep. The body gets used to fixed times for falling asleep and waking up, which improves the quality of sleep. This routine helps to regulate the sleep-wake cycle and prevent sleep disorders.
What role does sleep duration play in a healthy life?
The recommended sleep duration varies depending on age, but for adults it is around 7-9 hours per night [2]. Adequate sleep is crucial for cognitive function, emotional well-being and physical health. Regular sleep deprivation can lead to a variety of health problems, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and reduced immune function.
How can you help children fall asleep?
The 6 tips for falling asleep are also useful for children. You can also create a relaxed and emotionally safe atmosphere for your child with a warm bath, hot milk with honey or a bedtime story. Talk to your child about their day if they want to and support them in learning good sleep hygiene.
What is restful sleep anyway?
Well-being sleep is more than just the absence of sleep disturbances. It is defined as high-quality and restorative sleep that promotes physical, mental and emotional health. Good sleep is characterised by several features:
Deep and uninterrupted phases: A balanced sleep includes several cycles of light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep without frequent awakenings. These stages are important for various aspects of recovery [2].
Sufficient sleep duration: Individual sleep needs vary, but in general, adults need about 7-9 hours of sleep per night to function optimally [2].
Fast falling asleep: Another characteristic of good sleep is the ability to fall asleep within a reasonable time after going to bed without lying awake for a long time. If you are still lying awake after 20 minutes, get up again.
Waking up refreshed: After a good night's sleep, you should feel refreshed, energised and ready for the day in the morning, with no signs of tiredness or drowsiness.
Regular sleep-wake rhythm: Having a set rhythm where you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day can improve sleep quality.
Absence of sleep disturbances: A good night's sleep includes the absence of sleep disturbances such as insomnia, sleep apnoea or restless legs (restless legs syndrome), which can affect sleep quality.
Adequate sleep environment: The sleep environment, including bed, mattress, room temperature and darkness, should be conducive to undisturbed sleep.
Low daytime tiredness: People who get a good night's sleep experience minimal tiredness during the day and can perform their tasks with a reasonable amount of energy - many insomniacs, on the other hand, need a cup of coffee. Caffeine tablets are also a convenient way to feel more energised. Find out more here: /en/blog/alles-was-sie-ueber-koffeintabletten-wissen-muessen
To summarise, good sleep means a balanced combination of sufficient duration, deep quality and regularity, which leads to an overall increased quality of life. Daytime tiredness and fatigue can also indicate a vitamin deficiency. You can find out more about this topic here: /en/blog/woran-erkenne-ich-einen-vitaminmangel
What effects does poor sleep have on daily life?
Poor sleep not only affects physical health, but also cognitive performance and emotional well-being [4]. Fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating and an increased risk of accidents are possible consequences. In the long term, poor sleep can also increase the risk of chronic diseases.
Consciously managing your own sleep habits, creating an optimal sleep environment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are crucial for a restorative night's sleep and an overall healthy life. Glycine can also have a positive effect on bodily functions and the mind. Find out more here: /en/blog/glycin-regeneriert-koerper-und-geist
What physical problems can be caused by a lack of sleep?
People with a lack of sleep have an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and strokes. Sleep also influences the metabolism, which means that insufficient sleep quality can lead to hormone fluctuations. This affects hunger, insulin response, food consumption and physical activity, which in turn can contribute to obesity and metabolic syndrome [4].
Respiratory and immune systems are affected during sleep, which can exacerbate breathing problems and weaken immune defences. It is important to note that individual differences and specific health conditions can cause the effects of sleep on the body to vary. For example,sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea or insomnia can present specific health challenges [4]. It is recommended to seek professional medical advice for persistent sleep problems.
Sleep well!
Sources
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34610163/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9103473/
[3] https://files.nccih.nih.gov/s3fs-public/Melatonin_11-18-2015.pdf
[4] https://www.nhlbi.nih. gov/health/sleep/why-sleep-important
[5] https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea
[6] https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene
[7] https://www.apotheken-umschau.de/krankheiten-symptome/symptome/haeufige-schlafstoerung-insomnie-1002491.html
[8] https://www.resmed.de/patienten/schlafapnoe/behandlung-von-schlafapnoe/