Have you ever felt as though sleep is an inconvenience and you’d rather use that time more productively? We lead busy lives with countless demands on our time, but quality sleep is crucial for maintaining optimal brain health. Without it, we suffer mentally, physically, and emotionally due to the hazardous effects of neglecting our sleep hygiene.

A good night’s sleep is much more than just a time of rest. Have you ever wondered what goes on in our brains during sleep? This is actually the brain’s opportunity to do some housekeeping, taking out the trash as it clears toxins and waste products through the glymphatic system. An essential process, the glymphatic system is a key player in the game of achieving optimal cognitive health and function by detoxifying the brain.

Restful sleep provides the opportunity for enhanced memory, the regulation of emotions, and even learning. How do we learn when we’re asleep? Well, during this vital state of rest, our brains consolidate and process information that we learned throughout the day, transitioning short-term memories into long-term. Without adequate sleep, these processes cannot function efficiently and the ability to recall information is diminished.

In addition, other aspects including attention, reaction times, creativity, and problem-solving can be impacted negatively by a brain that hasn’t received adequate rest. Good, consistent sleep can be the difference between a great, productive day and a difficult, sluggish one. No matter what your occupation or stage in life, quality sleep matters.

Even our emotions are impacted by our sleep habits. If we neglect getting enough rest, this could result in feeling irritable or anxious while also contributing to mood swings. Sleep affects every aspect of life from our mental health to the state of our relationships.

Establishing a consistent sleep schedule can assist with the regulation of the body’s internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up. Of course, a calm, relaxing environment is essential for quality sleep, and a good rule to implement is avoiding electronics before bed. This article from the Mayo Clinic is packed with great info and tips for achieving optimal sleep habits:

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/5-ways-to-get-better-sleep

Here at AMFAS, we strongly encourage our clients to establish healthy sleeping habits not only for the positive affect it will have on how they feel, but for the powerful impact on their brains. Understanding the science behind quality sleep, it just makes sense to implement practical strategies to ensure the best rest possible for your mind and body. Doing this is bound to make sleep a priority rather than an inconvenience, especially with benefits like improved cognitive function, emotional resilience, and long-term health!

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