How to find out if you are getting deep, quality sleep at night?
Healthcare experts often underline the importance of deep, quality sleep for health, fitness, and recovery. But have you ever thought what exactly it means? Lifestyle coach Luke Coutinho recently reiterated the same, adding that deep sleep is medicine. “How many of you slept deeply last night and woke up feeling fresh and ready for the day? How many of you have realised that deep sleep makes your health/condition, skin, hair, and hormones better?” he asked on Instagram.
To understand the exact definition, we spoke to experts.
Waking up feeling tired, unrefreshed, having difficulty in focusing and learning, or carrying out everyday activities, and daytime sleepiness are signs of insufficient deep sleep, said Dr Aarti Ullal, physician and diabetolog, Gleneagles Hospital Parel.
Do you wake up to coffee? (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Adding that sleep is vital for supporting various bodily functions, she said: “When you are in deep slumber, your body tends to repair cells as the muscles start to rebuild and tissues heal. This can be beneficial for a speedy recovery, especially after strenuous physical activities.”
Story continues below this ad
Dr Ullal shared that a good night’s sleep not only strengthens the immune system, but it also boosts memory. “This is why it becomes crucial to get a good night’s sleep. Deep sleep can do wonders for your body. It can help you relax and calm down after a stressful and hectic day. While you sleep, stress hormones like cortisol tend to drop, helping relieve stress. Good sleep can help you boost mood levels, manage stress, reduce risk of various health problems, and improve focus,” explained Dr Ullal.
She stressed that one should aim for at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep every day, however added that “sleep needs can vary from person to person, and it also varies depending on your age.”
The idea, she said, should be to focus on quality of sleep not only the quantity. “However, just like how deep sleep is beneficial, sleeping for a longer duration can be harmful to your body. One may feel extremely tired when you try to sleep more than your usual time. For a good sleep, try to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks or using digital screens before bedtime,” said Dr Ullal.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
