Sometimes stress, lack of time or bad health habits prevent us from getting to sleep. This is especially true of Millennials, sometimes known as Generation Tired! In this article, you will learn about the effect restful sleep has on our health and why Millennials don’t get enough. We will also clue you in to the best sleeping positions for a restful sleep so that you can move forward with a better night.
How important is a restful sleep?
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, or NIH, in the United States has provided extensive information how vital a good night’s sleep is to our well-being. People who do not have a restful night’s sleep demonstrate low brain functions including poor concentration, low productivity, poor performance and bad cognition. On the other hand, a good night’s sleep is shown to improve problem solving and enhance memory in all age groups.
People who do not get enough sleep also tend to be obese, though the study is inconclusive as to why this is. It could be hormonal and affect the appetite by increasing it due to poor regulation by the sleep-deprived brain. A person who does not get a restful night’s sleep is also less likely to exercise, which can also lead to an increased body weight.
Sleep quality is also linked to a greater risk of stroke and heart disease as well as type 2 diabetes. The word is out; along with exercise and nutrition, good sleep is vitally important for good health. In fact, you cannot achieve good health without good sleep.
Why don’t Millennials get enough sleep?
Millennials were categorized in a National Sleep Foundation study that revisited the recommended amounts of sleep people actually need. In 2015, the NSF recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night for young adults aged 18-25. This new category indicates that even the NSF has figured out that Millennials are having an issue with sleep.
Companies are starting to recognise this issue too, GP Nutrition is one example of a company who has created a product specifically for helping millennials get a good night’s sleep. Calm Me, is a nutritional supplement which aids restful sleep & helps the body relax & according to their customers – it works.
So, why is it that millennials have a particularly tough time with sleeping?
When asked what keeps them from having a good night’s sleep, most Millennials point to their late night habit of checking their phone just before bed. Smaller living spaces are also contributing to sleeplessness, leading to the bedroom being a multi-purpose room that is not restful.
Doing “all the things” to get a good night’s sleep, going technology free, creating a calm space & making sure your body + mind are relaxed, this will all help. But what about when you actually go to sleep? Do you find yourself waking up regularly during the night and getting disturbed?
That is where your sleeping position matters too. There are some sleeping positions which lend themselves to a better night’s sleep than others, let’s look at them now.
The best sleeping positions for a restful sleep
Changing the position in which you sleep could improve your chances of falling asleep and staying asleep, according to a study by Australian researchers. So which position is best? Read on…
Side Sleeping – There are many ways to sleep on your side, which is the most recommended position by sleep experts. The best side sleeping position is to bend your knees up toward your chest slightly. People with a bad back should consider placing a pillow between their legs to ease any pressure on the lower back and hips.
Back Sleeping – People who sleep on their backs often experience lower back pain because of this position and are prone to sleep apnea, which is not good for restful sleep. If you do prefer to sleep on your back, try a pillow or rolled-up towel under your knees to help your spine curve properly. This position is not recommended for healthy, restful sleep, so consider transitioning to side sleeping.
Stomach Sleeping – Sorry, stomach sleepers, but this position is not recommended at all. Stomach sleeping strains your neck and lower back. This position also makes people toss and turn more in an effort to sleep comfortably. Stomach sleepers should change to side sleeping as soon as possible.
You may also be interested in the following articles:
How to sleep better at night naturally
How much deep sleep should you be getting every night?
The Best Herbal Remedies for Insomnia
Author Bio:
Cheryl A Clarke is co-founder of Atlist a community of eco lovers who care about shopping more consciously. Here is where you’ll find thousands of fairtrade, organic and eco friendly products from fluoride free toothpaste to organic cotton bras. Your basic everyday items can help shape our planet’s future!
