As we quickly approach World Sleep Day 2020, which falls on 13th March, it is a sad fact that, according to recent studies, as many as 35% of people surveyed do not get enough sleep at night. World Sleep Day aims to educate people about the importance of getting healthy sleep, as well as bringing cognisance to a lot of the burdens we experience because of sleep problems. Here at Good Sleep Advisor, we provide plenty of tips and advice on how to get a good night’s sleep, but do you know how important getting not only the right amount of sleep but also the right quality of sleep could be?
What impact does a lack of sleep have on health?
In the short term, a lack of sleep can make you sluggish and irritable. It can also dull your concentration and therefore, your reaction times. However, the longer-term effects are much more serious, and sleep deprivation and poor quality sleep have been linked to a number of significant health issues, including obesity, a weakened immune system, diabetes and, in some cases, certain cancers. When this poor sleep pattern continues over a longer period for whatever reason, it can really have an impact on your health. One of the biggest messages behind World Sleep Day relates to this – a staggering 45% of the world’s population have sleep problems that threaten both their quality of life and health
What can I do to improve my sleep?
There could be many reasons that you may be struggling to get the right quality of sleep.
It may well be worth looking at not only the environment you’re sleeping in, but also whether your pillow, duvet or mattress need replacing. Good sleep hygiene is also essential to getting good quality sleep. However, this doesn’t always help, especially if there is an underlying condition that is affecting your ability to sleep well.
Whether you are simply struggling to get to sleep because of stress or have a condition such as sleep apnea that is causing your sleep issues, if improving your sleep hygiene at home isn’t helping, it is important to discuss it with your GP. There are many different treatments and tips to help you sleep better, which could benefit areas of your life you didn’t even know were suffering from your lack of good sleep.
