Having a poor night’s sleep can really impact how we feel the next day. We tend to be sluggish, irritable, and less productive. It can be frustrating as even the simplest tasks can feel more difficult when you’re tired.
Over time, if we keep struggling to get enough quality rest, the effects can worsen and be detrimental to both our physical and mental health. That’s why so many people are looking for ways to better understand and improve the quality of their slumber time. Let’s explore more.
What is good quality sleep?
When we’re talking about good quality rest, we generally mean a sufficient amount of sleep for your age group. Most adults tend to need between seven and nine hours of sleep a night and it should feel easy enough to drift off and remain asleep for the majority of the time. If you’re tossing and turning, or regularly waking up throughout the night, your rest won’t be of great quality. You’ll notice the impacts the next day.
However, this is somewhat personal – the amount of time people need can vary. What’s important is that more often than not you wake up feeling rested and refreshed, ready for the day ahead. You should also have energy throughout the day and not need to rely too heavily on naps or caffeine.
The importance of sleep
Here are just a few of the reasons why getting enough good rest is crucial:
- Memory, learning and productivity. Rest is crucial for enhancing day-to-day memory and productivity, as it supports essential cognitive functions necessary for concentration and efficiency in daily tasks. That’s because during this time, the brain processes and consolidates information, which is vital for memory retention. For example, sleep is important for uni students who want to learn (and remember) course material.
- Physical health. Good rest doesn’t just make us feel better; it’s essential for maintaining our health. It bolsters the immune system, aids in hormone regulation, and lowers the risk of developing chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.
- Well-being and general mood. If you feel like a worse version of yourself when you’re struggling to get enough sleep, you’re not alone. It contributes to a stable mood, enhanced emotional regulation, and reduced stress levels, which means we can better cope with daily challenges.
How to improve the quality of your sleep
One of the easiest ways to improve the quality of your rest is to think about your sleep hygiene. This simply refers to a set of healthy habits, behaviours, and environmental factors that can be adjusted to help you achieve a good night’s slumber.
It involves creating a sleep-friendly environment and establishing routines that support consistent, uninterrupted rest. For example, limiting screen time and caffeine intake before bed, having a dark, cool and relaxing place to lay down, and timing your exercise to encourage restfulness in the evening. For further advice, we’ve got more tips on how you can adjust your lifestyle to improve your sleep. Small changes over time can make all the difference.
This article was written for WHN by the Outreach Team at Dunelm who are committed to making decisions that will stand themselves – and their customers – in good stead for what comes next, and for a long time to come after that.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WHN/A4M. Any content provided by guest authors is of their own opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything else. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Content may be edited for style and length.
References/Sources/Materials provided by:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-sleep-you-need#how-much-sleep-do-you-need
https://www.dunelm.com/info/40-tips-for-uni-students-to-optimise-their-sleep
https://worldhealth.net/news/adopting-changes-your-lifestyle-experience-better-sleep/
