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Sleep Hygiene

Niche Physio & Pilates

SLEEP! SLEEP! SLEEP!

As a young kid, when bedtime came around, we were always told to go to sleep, and we never ever wanted to. Now as we get older, all we want to do is find more time to sleep! Ahhh the irony.

Sleep is so important in your life for so many reasons. It aids in muscle growth, tissue repair, lowering cortisol levels (the stress hormone) assisting in mood and focus. Without good sleep hygiene, pain can be sensitised, we can become more irritable, and it can really affect our mental health.

So, what is sleep hygiene exactly?

Sleep hygiene is a term used when discussing good sleep schedule and healthy habits. This includes things such as going to bed at the same time each night and getting up at the same time each morning, including on the weekends. Other things to help you get a better night’s rest is making sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature. Remove all electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smart phones from the bedroom, and if possible do not use these 1 hour before bedtime to begin calming the brain and preparing the body for sleep.