The Vicious Cycle of Sleep Disruption

This week, I want to cover a foundational element of health. What is it? Sleep! Many factors disrupt sleep, and when sleep is disrupted, that in turn disrupts many of the body’s primary functions.

For example, sleep directly relates to metabolism. Sleep is important for maintaining a healthy metabolic rate, and if you improve your sleep, you will improve your metabolism. Alternatively, sleep deprivation changes the way your body metabolizes glucose, and it negatively affects your hormonal functions. Chronic sleep deprivation is directly linked to obesity and metabolic diseases like diabetes.

Stress and energy levels are inextricably linked. A small amount of stress is good; it motivates you and keeps you focused. But these days, stress often becomes too much to handle. Intense stress zaps your energy. You may react to things slower than normal, and you likely feel fatigued. Intense stress over a long period can make you more susceptible to developing disease because the stress disrupts the immune system over time. Chronic stress makes it difficult for many people to stay awake during the day. Sleepiness during an important task is your body’s signal that you are stressed and need a break. Significant stress is associated with fatigue, defined as physical tiredness. Conversely, stress can prevent you from getting good sleep at night. These two problems in conjunction affect your sleep cycle which also directly impacts your immune system.

Stress is defined as any disturbance—extreme cold or heat, psychological stress, sleep deprivation, work overload, physical trauma, as well as toxic exposure—that can trigger the stress response. Stressors cause sleep disruption and two of the biggest disruptors are toxins and EMF.

We are bombarded by thousands of toxins every day in the air, water, food – everywhere. During sleep, the brain washes away toxins. Brain cells actually shrink during sleep. This shrinkage opens gaps between the neurons, making it dramatically easier for fluid flow in the brain to wash toxins away.

EMFs are a huge disruptor to normal sleep, and have also been linked to elevated blood pressure and heart rate. EMF radiation directly disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm, the natural sleep-wake cycle, which can wreak havoc on your health.

Pay attention to sleep hygiene, meaning ways you can get a better night’s sleep. Setting up the proper sleep environment and having good daily routines can help. The bedroom should be free of disruption and preferably devices like phones, televisions and computers. Have a relaxing pre-bed routine, too. Turn off devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime, and take a relaxing warm bath to soothe your senses before sleep.

Sleep is so very important, which is why we have made it this week’s Friday Focus. I’m proud to offer so many great sleep products from MyPillow, and we offer EMF Solutions’ whole house neutralizer plus many other products that can help you get better sleep. I even offer great sleep apparel, too! Supplements are important, and I am also offering a discount on my Opti PS-Sleep product this week. This supplement contains phosphatidylserine, found in high concentrations in the brain, which helps support normal cognitive and nervous system function and protects the brain from free radicals. Very little phosphatidylserine is found in food, so a supplement is important. Try these great softgels today.