In 2020 set yourself up for a healthier year by ensuring you’re getting the sleep you need. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes fragmented sleep and low blood oxygen levels resulting in poor quality of sleep. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you know how important it is to commit to your treatment to reap the health benefits of CPAP therapy. Here’s 5 reasons why staying on therapy is important to achieve quality sleep and live a better life:
1
Well Rested People Perform Better
Getting consistent good sleep helps us to think clearly, concentrate, retain information, problem solve and make good decisions. When we don’t get enough quality sleep, it impairs our “executive function”—a set of abilities we need to do well in school, at work, and in all parts of our daily life. It’s recommended that adults get as much 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. So, to perform your best in 2020 get to bed at a time that allows you 8 hours or more of sleep and consistently use your CPAP machine.
2
Well Rested People Have More Energy
During high-quality sleep, your body restores many functions it relies on during daily life, such as temperature regulation, a strong immune system, steady hormone levels, and good appetite. All of these factors play a role in how much energy you have. To operate at your peak potential, you need to maintain these functions through quality sleep.
3
Well Rested People Eat Better
Getting a restful night’s sleep can help with dietary habits and metabolic health. When you’ve had poor sleep and feel exhausted, you’re more likely to crave carbs, eat more junk food and increase night-time snacking that results in the consumption of excess calories. Poor diet can also heighten the risk of obesity and diabetes. Your ability to eat better, monitor your portion control and make healthier food choices increases when you get quality sleep.
4
Well Rested People Are More Likely To Exercise
Working out is great for your body and mind, it can also help you get a good night’s sleep. Physical activity and good sleep are related and part of a healthy cycle. Getting 8 hours or more of sleep at night will make you more likely to engage in physical activity during the day. And, getting in at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise during the day will help you sleep better at night.
5
Well Rested People Handle Stressful Situations Better
We all know that daily stress in our lives can make it hard to get a good sleep. But the connection between sleep and stress works both ways. While stress interrupts sleep, lack of sleep can be a huge contributing factor of stress. The body uses a chain of chemicals that send messages of stress. But a good night’s sleep can block the chain reaction of stress hormones allowing the body to rest. When we have better sleep, we can take on life’s daily challenges and handle stressful situations.