Sleep & Stress

Importance and Dangers of Sleep Deprivation

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to our health. Not enough sleep will affect a lot of different aspects of our life during our waking hours. It can lead to fatigue, irritability, poor concentration and daytime sleepiness, which all can affect our work performance and motivation. To top it off, our mood and behaviour can change to such a point that it can affect our relationships. Sleep deprivation is also detrimental to our health, and in the long-term it could lead to more serious problems, such as low fertility or an increase in risk of getting a stroke.

Facts about sleep:
• Our bodies CANNOT learn to adapt to sleeping less. Sleep is a physiological necessity.
• Studies have found out that getting 6 hours of sleep or less is not good for our health. The amount of sleep that an individual needs is genetically determined, but most of adults will need at least 7 hours of sleep.
• During sleep, our body undergoes through a “repair and restoration” phase that is essential in keeping our body well-maintained.

A person’s lifestyle, diet and habits affect sleep behaviour. These factors are collectively called “sleep hygiene,” and changing some of these aspects for the better might just be the key in solving all your sleeping problems. Read on to learn more about these factors, and the many ways you can take to improve on these habits and get that much deserved proper sleep.

Anxiety is part of normal human emotion, and is usually felt in response to stress. Feeling it is considered normal, and under normal circumstances anxiety is only temporary and is dependent on a person’s current situation. Once the stressor is gone, the anxiety usually follows. However, if the feelings of anxiety are severe enough to interfere with daily life and lasts longer than six months, they are signs that a person may have an anxiety disorder. Please see your GP if you have these symptoms for a further assessment. Anxiety disorders can be treated effectively with medications.

Medical treatment isn’t necessary with all cases however. Simple lifestyle changes can be very effective in managing chronic anxiety. Avoiding or reducing exposure to key anxiety triggers can definitely reduce anxiety as well. These factors include one or more of the following:
• Stress
• Public or social events
• Caffeine
• Skipping meals
• Taking certain medications
• Certain health issues
• Thinking about problems, such as problems with finances or personal conflicts

Lifestyle changes for reducing anxiety include:
• Avoiding the said anxiety triggers. Asking for help, either from loved ones or from a professional therapist provides a massive benefit in dealing with anxiety
• Enough sleep
• Meditation and exercise
• Eating a healthy and balanced diet
• Avoiding vices such as smoking and gambling

We also sell products that can aid you in your battle against anxiety. We have products that will help you relax after a long day at work, as well as supplements that boost your mood and mind giving you resiliency against stress and anxiety.