Health Archives - Page 2 of 6 -

The Link Between Quality of Sleep and Risk of Alzheimer’s

Many of us fear developing Alzheimer's disease as we age. The condition is life-limiting and progressive, making it a devastating diagnosis for many people and their families. Research of the disease is still a rapidly developing field, and there is still much to learn. Some may be aware between the links of old age or genetic family history and your chance of developing Alzheimer's. Most people, however, are not aware of the link between sleep and Alzheimer's. It is more commonly known that lack of sleep can cause health issues such as heart disease. Poor sleep, in this instance, can…

The Scientific Reason Why Women Need More Sleep Than Men

For many women, changes in the body can make an impact on your sleep. Hormonal shifts, such as your period and the run up to it, can leave you feeling more tired than usual. Hormone changes can come with various health conditions. This may make you feel like you need an extra-long sleep to catch up on all the energy you require. The average adult is recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night. That may not feel enough when you're not feeling your best during the day. It may seem like men, who are often a lot physically bigger and…

Learning About Sleep Paralysis and How to Overcome It

I remember the first time I had sleep paralysis very clearly. I had put myself to bed a few hours earlier as I felt unwell that evening. My body had felt quite warm and achey, so I thought the best thing was to rest up for tomorrow. I had fallen asleep quickly and with ease due to the accompanying tiredness. I had also fallen asleep on my back from passing out, which was unusual as a side sleeper. The next thing waking moment I knew was that I had a full-on fever, and had sweated through my bedsheets. My sheets,…

Scientists Discover The Best Sleep Time For Cardiac Health

Finding the perfect time to regularly fall asleep at has long been thought of as essential for our health. Adults are recommended to sleep around 7-9 hours per night, according to science. The average working adult typically wakes up at around 7am or earlier for a 9-5 job, and often even earlier. This means that, although we may hate to admit it, the earlier we fall asleep, the better. To get a full night's 7-9 hours sleep, the average adult should probably be asleep by 10-12pm. This also means that they should be in bed well before that - around…

Weight Loss & Sleep: A Brief Insight

Is sleep important for weight loss? It absolutely is! It is common knowledge that the food we eat and physical activity we do need to be altered to lose weight. Sleep, however, is an often-neglected factor. Sleep plays a key role alongside diet and physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. The goal for weight loss is usually to decrease body fat while retaining as much muscle mass as possible. The amount of sleep you get determines how much fat is lost, and how much muscle mass you retain. Research has shown that the recommended sleep duration for adults…

How to Deal With Bedtime Anxiety

Our bedtime is supposed to be the most relaxing time, where we can unwind from the stresses of our day. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to leave the anxiety we feel during the daytime by our bedroom door. It is estimated that 5% of the UK population suffer from Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) at any one time. Various factors, such as work and family life, can cause the symptoms of anxiety to plague our relaxation time. Even without an anxiety condition, many of us will sometimes find it difficult to switch off our brains before bed. With many people working…

Exercise x Sleep: Don’t Run Out Of Sleep

Exercise: perhaps even just the thought of it makes you feel languid. But making time for that quick morning jog in the park might be more useful than you think if you struggle with getting some decent shut-eye. Studies have shown that people sleep significantly better and feel more alert during the day if they get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. Whether it be cycling to work, playing football with some mates or hitting the gym, it appears that physical exertion is an effective and non-pharmaceutical solution to common sleep problems. Counter-intuitive though it sounds, those who…

Insomnia Nearly Wrecked My Life Part I

Whilst most of us will experience some sleep deprivation and tiredness at some time, insomnia - defined as a regular difficulty with falling or staying asleep - is different. Insomnia not only affects your sleep, it affects your whole life. It’s been estimated to affect up to a third of adults and for some it can prove debilitating. Although women are more likely to suffer from it than men, and older people are more likely to suffer than younger people, the condition can affect anyone. For some it can last for a just few days or weeks but for others…