Good Night’s Sleep: Essential for a Healthy Heart

Sleep is important, we know that. The European Society of Cardiology has found that short sleep duration is associated with harmful results such as higher incidences of obesity, blood pressure, hypertension, cholesterol, haemoglobin A, and triglycerides, all of which are directly associated with a higher cardiovascular risk.

It is recommended that an adult should sleep an average of seven to nine hours for optimal health. There are a few bedroom tips that will help give proper rest:

1. Soundproof your bedroom. Turn your sleeping into a sanctuary by sound dampening it. It is an easy solution to prevent unwelcomed sleep interruptions. The method is becoming a requirement for modern families. If you have the opportunity to re-insulate your home, sound-proofing insulation is an excellent choice to escape the everyday noise. For homeowners, a performance tested product called, Roxul Safe ‘n’ Sound mineral wool insulation is recommended. It provides higher sound absorption against low frequency (bass) ranges that other types of insulation struggle to block.

2. Black-out curtains. A sleep-conducive environment is dark. Consider blocking out outside lights and the early morning sunshine with black-out curtains. A dark environment will ensure your body continues to rest for the necessary amount of time instead of waking up as the sun rises.

3. Good bedding. A cool environment and good bedding will make your environment more comfortable and favorable for catching those much needed Zzzs. Invest in some good bedding. Comfort is essential to a good night sleep so consider investing in a new mattress if yours has exceeded its life expectancy. Experts suggest that a good rule of thumb is to replace your mattress every seven years.

4. Set sleeping cycle. Maintain a regular sleeping schedule including daily bed and wake times even on weekends. We have a regulated sleep-wake cycle and our brain and body need this balance.

Source: www.newscanada.com