#FitnessFridayFact The Best Recovery: SLEEP

#FitnessFridayFact The Best Recovery: SLEEP

Research shows that a lack of sleep can have profound effects on your physical and mental health. Ensuring a minimum of 7 hours sleep can boost your health in a number of ways: 

 

  • Boosts your immunity– prolonged lack of sleep can disrupt your immune system. 

 

  • Prevent weight gain– lack of sleep alters hormone levels which stimulate hunger. 

 

  • Improve mental wellbeing– sleep deprivation causes irritability, moodiness and in chronic cases can lead to depression. 

 

  • Prevent diabetes– lack of sleep changes the bodies processing of glucose. 

 

  • Protect against heart disease– sleep deprivation is associated with increased heart rate and blood pressure. 

 

Tips for sleep: 

 

  • Regular sleeping pattern– programmes the brain and internal body clock to get used to a set routine. 

 

  • Be sure to wind down– a warm bath, relaxation exercises, reading a book etc. 

 

  • Sleep friendly environment– dark, quiet, tidy and be kept at a temperature of between 18C and 24C. 

 

  • Reduce screen on time in bed– using phones or tablets can distract from sleep. 

 

The Holy Prophets example:  

The Holy Prophet (SAW) went to bed early and got up a little after midnight for offering Tahajjud prayers, taking a nap again in the forenoon.  

 

References:

  1. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/how-to-get-to-sleep/
  2. Nagai M, Hoshide S, Kario K. Sleep duration as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease- a review of the recent literature. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2010;6(1):54-61. doi:10.2174/157340310790231635 
  3. Besedovsky L, Lange T, Born J. Sleep and immune function. Pflugers Arch. 2012;463(1):121-137. doi:10.1007/s00424-011-1044-0 
  4. Hanlon EC, Tasali E, Leproult R, Stuhr KL, Doncheck E, de Wit H, Hillard CJ, Van Cauter E. Sleep Restriction Enhances the Daily Rhythm of Circulating Levels of Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol. Sleep. 2016 Mar 1;39(3):653-64. doi: 10.5665/sleep.5546. PMID: 26612385; PMCID: PMC4763355. 
  5. https://www.alislam.org/articles/hygiene-of-sleep/