By Way to Wellbeing
Nearly all animals on the planet need to sleep and most have a natural circadian rhythm that manages their sleeping and waking time over 24 hours. But why do we need this?
Apart from restoring our brains and bodies, scientists are still a little stumped as to why we need sleep; however, what is not contested, is the harm not getting enough sleep has on our wellbeing.
According to NHS.uk:
“Regular poor sleep puts you at risk of serious medical conditions, including obesity, coronary heart disease and diabetes – and it shortens your life expectancy.”
Not getting enough sleep can also affect our day to day lives by making us irritable, grumpy and less able to concentrate at work.
In 2016 the BBC published that sleep deprivation cost the UK economy £40 billion a year. We need to ask ourselves why, as a nation, we are sleeping so poorly, but in this article I’d like to offer up five suggestions of how to promote better sleep for wellbeing.
Get out into nature
If you follow Way to Wellbeing you might be aware of our belief in the power of nature for wellbeing. The natural world, sunlight, fresh air and foliage does not only help us destress and take ourselves out of the hustle and bustle of everyday, it can also promote good sleep. A gentle walk in the park or a half hour on your favourite bench or grassy spot can clear away the worries of the day. Worry can lead to poor sleep so it is important to try and destress before you go to bed so you are not hitting the pillow with a head full of spiralling thoughts and concerns. Read more…
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