The world is full of sleep-deprived individuals trying to survive and manage life. Scientists suggest that humans need to get at least eight to ten hours of sleep a night, which by that time request, sleep is viewed as a luxury for most. However, the reality of a sleepless society results in declining personal health and wellness.

Bryn Carden, a student, studying Finance with a Real Estate Concentration at Texas Christian University while pursuing an entrepreneurial career, considers self-health a passion and says that sleep is something that people with busy schedules do not have to sacrifice. Sleep is an essential cornerstone to good health, and being adequately rested possesses more benefits for overall well being than skipping a solid night’s rest.

What Happens to Health When Sacrificing Sleep?

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that a third of the human population is sleeping for less than seven hours a night. Besides the common grumpiness and grogginess that comes with lack of sleep, more severe health risks can come with not getting enough shut-eye.

Not getting enough sleep can cause the body to have poor functioning, cognitive and reflex responses. During a clinical trial sleep study, researchers found that individuals getting no more than six hours per night for two weeks had declined in cognitive functions and reflexes just as drastically as people who had received little to no sleep for two consecutive nights.

Lack of quality sleep can also lead to health issues such as weight gain or even a shorter lifespan. When not getting the proper amount of sleep, the body can increase unhealthy cravings or hunger, leading to weight gain and even obesity. When a person reaches their necessary REM (rapid eye movement) cycles, their body can sufficiently serve the peptides and healthily regulate appetite.

The founder of Fatigue Science states that sleep is as essential to the body as food and water. In other words, people should stop sacrificing sleep and aim to productively rest by following these tips to better sleep.

How to Sleep Well

Entrepreneurs, college students, and anyone with a busy schedule are familiar with the importance of time efficiency. Approaching sleep with a time-efficient mindset will set anybody up for better sleep success and health results.

Try sleeping in colder temperatures between sixty and sixty-seven degrees for those who toss and turn in their sleep. Finding warmth under covers and amidst pillows will help settle the body for a good night’s rest.

During the day, avoiding caffeine after noon while fitting in thirty minutes to one hour of sweaty exercise will greatly assist in reaching those REM stages when it is time to sleep. And with the mention of time, scheduling a bedtime that stays the same regardless of the week’s day will establish a regular sleep-wake cycle, leading to fewer all-nighters and more effortless and healthy sleep.

On stressful days, even after establishing a sleep-wake cycle, adding time for a bedtime yoga routine or meditation will relieve tension that negatively affects sleep time.

About Bryn Carden

Bryn Carden is a versatile young entrepreneur with a deep sense of compassion and the desire to help make the world a better place. In 2017, she founded Styles for Smiles – a company selling bracelets to support the Smile Train Organization. The proceeds from selling Bryn’s designs have already helped fund cleft palate repairs for 16 children in developing countries.