HEALTH & WELLNESS

The Important Role of Sleep Cycle in Your Life

Both for physical and mental health

Alejandro Betancourt
Dancing Elephants Press
5 min readFeb 9, 2022

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Photo by Lucas Andrade from Pexels

Sleep is an essential part of our daily lives. Sleep not only helps us to recharge and refresh our bodies but also helps to regulate our mood, productivity, and creativity.

Achieving the perfect sleep cycle can be difficult for some people. This is because many factors can affect your sleep cycles, such as work hours, stress levels, and even light exposure. But, with proper planning and research into how you can achieve the best sleep cycle possible for you — it will become more accessible than ever before!

So what is the best sleep cycle possible for you? It all depends on your lifestyle and how you feel the most productive. Some people find that late nights work better with their schedules, while others prefer an early night. There are many ways to achieve the perfect sleep cycles, including:

· Creating a Routine

Your bedtime should be planned around the amount of sleep you need, rather than how much time you have to go to bed. If you can, try falling asleep at around 10 pm each day — which will help regulate your sleeping patterns throughout the week. This way, your body will know when to fall asleep — making it easier to get out of bed in the morning feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day!

· Creating a Sleep Haven

To have the best sleep cycle possible, your bedroom needs to be your haven from the rest of the world. This means that you should not work in bed, and you should avoid using your phone as this will only distract you. Instead, create an area where all your relaxations occur- whether with a lamp or soothing scents such as lavender. The aim is to calm yourself down before going to sleep, so make sure everything within reach is relaxing. As well as having a comfortable environment, it’s also essential to keep the room cool too, which will help regulate body temperature and make falling asleep much more manageable!

· Don’t Nap during the day

Having a nap during the day can strain your sleep at night, so avoiding this is crucial for achieving the perfect sleep cycle. If you feel as though you NEED to nap before bedtime, limit it to 20 minutes, and remember not to take phone calls or watch TV, as this will only increase your arousal levels and prevent you from falling into a deep sleep!

· Keep Track of Your Sleep

Keeping track of how long and how well you’ve slept each night will help document if there are any patterns in your sleeping cycle. If there appears to be an issue with your sleeping habits, make sure that you keep a diary of what is going on before bedtime, such as what happened that day or how much caffeine you consumed. This will help you identify any problems causing your lack of sleep and what you can do to improve it!

What Happens to the Brain When it Doesn’t Catch Enough Hours of Sleep?

The brain is a complex organ that needs to be well-rested to function optimally. When the brain does not get enough sleep, it can show some side effects.

Sleep deprivation can negatively impact the brain’s cognitive functions and mental health. It can also lead to problems with memory, mood, and decision-making.

Some of the short-term effects of sleep deprivation include:

· Difficulty paying attention and focusing for extended periods.

· Issues learning new information

· Memory problems, such as forgetting things that recently happened.

· Increased risk-taking behaviors. Sleep-deprived people may take more risks than they would typically do if their brains were well-rested. This could involve texting while driving or not wearing a seat belt.

The long-term effects of sleep deprivation can be even more severe and include:

· Chronic insomnia and other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression

· Weight gain and obesity due to lack of exercise caused by tiredness

It is clear why sleep is so vital for maintaining a healthy lifestyle!

Circadian Rhythm and Sleep

The circadian rhythm is the internal biological clock that regulates sleep patterns. It affects when you feel tired or alert, which can vary from person to person.

Every individual will have their natural sleep times that they prefer — but finding out what these are will increase your chances of getting a better night’s rest.

An excellent way to find out the best time of the day for you to fall asleep is by keeping a sleep diary where you record information about anything that could affect how well or long you sleep- including exercise, caffeine consumption, stress levels, and bedtime routines.

This way, you can begin to see any trends in your body’s sleep cycle and make the necessary adjustments to get the best sleep possible.

Tips for Getting Better Sleep at Night

Sleep is an essential part of our lives, and we should always try to get the best sleep possible. Here are some tips to help you get better sleep:

  • Avoid caffeine and other stimulants near bedtime.
  • Stay active during the day, but avoid exercising close to bedtime.
  • Have a regular bedtime routine that includes calming activities like reading or listening to music for 30 minutes before you go to sleep.
  • Make your bedroom quiet, dark, and cool it down.
  • Only use your bed for sleeping and having sex.
  • Try to wake up simultaneously every day, no matter how much sleep you got the night before.
  • Be sure that all your electronics are charging in another room. These can cause too much stimulation that prevents you from falling asleep.

Remember, getting a good night’s rest is vital for living a healthy lifestyle. It recharges both our mind and body every day! So make sure to do everything in your power to achieve the perfect sleep cycle! Good luck with getting better sleep tonight!

Always consult a physician before making any changes in your sleeping patterns. This article is not intended as medical advice and is only meant for entertainment and informational purposes.

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If you appreciated this piece, you might enjoy this related article written by Antonis Iliakis

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Alejandro Betancourt
Dancing Elephants Press

Entrepreneur, Investor, Executive Coach & Author. Single Dad sharing insights on Mindset, Philosophy, and Self-Improvement.