Do you love hitting the snooze button? I think it’s safe to say that many of us do! Do you do it so often it causes you to be late for work, meetings, or school? If so, it may be time to look at your sleep routine. Our body loves sleep- think about being comfortable, relaxed, and asleep…I think it’s time for a nap right now. ZZZZZZZ……
Unfortunately, many of us suffer from bad sleeping habits, and as such, our body is not reaping the full benefits of a good night’s sleep. While it may be possible to function off of four to five hours of sleep, it’s not recommended, especially for long periods of time.
Sleep is just as vital to our growth and development as breathing air. No matter what age you are, sleep plays a role in helping your body reset, repair, and regenerate. Why wouldn’t you want to get the most out of that?
Sleep Has Many Benefits
To be more specific, sleep has a direct connection to many things we take for granted on any given day. For the sake of just one more episode on Netflix, another late night show, a last drink with friends while out for the night, or the need to Google online, we’re sacrificing a lot more than just being tired in the morning.
Lack of sleep impacts:
- Memory
- Quality of life
- Inflammation
- Creativity
- Exercise and Performance
- Grades
- Attention
- Weight
- Stress
- Coordination
- Depression
It’s obvious that sleep has an impact on your overall wellbeing. So why aren’t we getting more sleep?
Some common reasons you may not be getting enough sleep include stress, heavy snoring, or hormonal changes, but one of the biggest culprits is likely the fact that you don’t have a routine for unplugging from technology (hello Facebook). Are you guilty for taking your phone with you to bed? Try to set a timer or an alarm that reminds you 30 minutes before bed to put your phone down for the night. This may help you fall asleep easier. The internet never sleeps, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t!
Sleep Benefits Physical Therapy Patients
Sleep is important during every stage in life, and some stages require more than others. The last time you were sick, did you want to take a nap or sleep all day? You body gives you clues when you need to slow down and let it heal, and this can also be seen when you are injured or in pain, too.
Patients who are going through a physical therapy program can benefit greatly from sleep as well. The body needs time to recover from pain and injury. Physical therapy helps get you back to what you love to do and your life, but sleep also helps patients with this process, too. Think of sleep as another member of the recovery team.
Take a look at your nightly routine. What are some things you do that help you sleep? What are some things in your routine that you can change/modify to assist you in getting a full night’s rest? Find the perfect routine for you and sleep well!
If you or someone you know is having trouble sleeping due to an injury or pain, send them over to your friends at Momentum Physical Therapy for a Pain Relief Assessment. We are conveniently located all around San Antonio and offer extended hours every day of the week. If you would like a professional opinion/assessment, sign-up for a FREE Pain Assessment. We will then contact you to schedule an appointment for you to come in and have someone take a look. Our goal is to get you healthy for life!
