A Study Finds That Individuals Who Sleep 7 to 9 Hours Per Night Are More Likely to Have Healthier Brains Later in Life
Good sleep is essential for a number of mental and physical health advantages in addition to making you feel rested and ready to face the day. Proper sleep can potentially lower the risk of cancer and assist control blood pressure and cognitive function.
But because the blue light from our phones and other electronics keeps us overstimulated, a lot of us don’t get the necessary amount of sleep every night. Overindulging in food or drinking coffee shortly before bed can make us feel uneasy and tense, which might hinder our ability to fall asleep. Although there are various reasons why we adults don’t get the seven to nine hours of sleep per night that are advised, maintaining a regular sleep routine can assist.
Recent research indicates that getting too little or too much sleep may have even greater detrimental effects on our brain function than previously believed, highlighting the importance of getting a decent night’s sleep.
Study Results
In order to gain a better understanding of how sleep affects people’ brain health, a recent study conducted by Yale School of Medicine researchers and published in the Journal of the American Heart Association examined the sleeping patterns of almost 40,000 adults. Nine years’ worth of information had been gathered, including the duration of each person’s nightly sleep and whether or not they took naps during the day. Additionally, an MRI of their brains was performed.
According to the findings, getting too little or too much sleep each night increased the risk of dementia and stroke in the future. It’s interesting to note that the results remained unchanged when smoking and high blood pressure were included, both of which have been shown to have negative effects on the brain.
All of the participants in the study were middle-aged, and the results indicated that now is a critical time in life to adopt healthy sleeping practices in order to maintain the health of our brains both now and in the future.
How to Regularly Get Restful Sleep
A healthy nighttime routine is the first step towards obtaining the ideal quantity of sleep each night. Eat two to three hours before you want to try to go asleep, and avoid having any caffeinated drinks later in the evening. A warm, comforting beverage is what you should have right before bed, so avoid caffeinated herbal teas.
.
It’s also critical to keep all of your screens—including the television, iPad, and phone—away. Unplugging is an excellent idea before bed. Instead of staring at your phone before bed, reading a book can promote greater relaxation and a quicker rate of sleep.
A warm bath, soothing music, or meditation can all help you relax if you’re feeling concerned about the day (or about the one to come tomorrow). Remember that your daily routines affect you both during the day and in the morning. Your quality of sleep can also be impacted by napping for extended periods of time, drinking too much alcohol, and changing your daily wake-up time.