Sleep quality has been decreasing over time, for many reasons... but one of the most impactful is our "always connected" lifestyle.
Turn off your screen at night
While most people know that they need 6-8 hours of sleep each night, it is not enough to just log the right number of hours. Our ever-increasing used of screens, and the blue light they produce can severely impede our brain's ability to "turn off" and move into restful sleep. For better rest, turn off your phone, tablet or tv at least an hour before you go to bed. The light spectrum produced by personal electronic screens tends to stimulate the part of the brain that keeps you awake, and therefor inhibits your production of melatonin.
What's the big deal about Melatonin?
Melatonin is not only responsible for regulating your sleep-wake cycle, but it also plays a big role in keeping your immune system running in top shape. Research has shown that our white blood cells, which are integral to your body's immune system, have melatonin receptors. Melatonin appears to be a factor in activating T-cells, a special type of white blood cell, and enhancing the function of T-cell helper lymphocytes. All this means that making small changes to optimize your brain's production of melatonin and getting "good" rest can help you stay healthy, or fight off illnesses quicker. So if you've ever heard your month say you need plenty of rest to stay healthy... it's true!