The laundry list of the health risks linked to lack of sleep is growing longer and more frightening.
Several new studies have unveiled a truly jolting series of results that boil down to this:
Lack of sleep results in brain damage, brain shrinkage, poor memory and Alzheimer’s disease.
Here is the down low on the newest studies that show the results of lack of enough sleep or the lack of restorative sleep:
Decreased brain size in human volunteers over the age of 60
Blocks the garbage removal system that washes toxins out of the brain, including the proteins linked to Alzheimer’s
Deterioration of neurons (brain cells)
A direct connection to thinking, planning and memory as we age
May speed memory decline and the deterioration associated with Alzheimer’s
Doctors are even speculating that encouraging better and deeper sleep may be a simple, inexpensive and effective way of preventing Alzheimer’s or slowing the progression of the disease in those already diagnosed.
Plus, there is plenty of research that proves insufficient sleep causes increases the risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
It’s not only the number of hours we sleep—although older people who got 7 to 9 hours of sleep did best on memory tests and those who got 6 hours or less did the worst—it’s also the quality of sleep.
If you’re like many busy people, you may think that sleeping is a necessary nuisance and a waste of time. Nothing could be farther form the truth.
It also doesn’t count to try to catch up on lost sleep the weekends. Research shows that we reap the greatest benefits if we sleep and awaken at roughly the same time every night.
Do you have adrenal fatigue?
If you fall asleep only to find yourself wide awake at 3 a.m., you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue caused by chronic stress and the cycling of the stress hormone cortisol that wakes you up in the pre-dawn hours.
I found an interesting questionnaire LINK: http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/take-the-adrenal-fatigue-quiz for adrenal fatigue that may help give you a better idea if adrenal fatigue is an underlying cause of your sleep problems.
Among the simple ways to address adrenal fatigue:
Eat a high protein diet
Eat plenty of salt
Eat breakfast as soon as you awaken
Eat heavier meals the morning, lighter meals at night
Be in bed by 10:30 p.m.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Consider supplements like adrenal glandulars, magnesium, manganese, melatonin, vitamin B complex, trace minerals and phosphatidylserine.
Whether or not stress is keeping you awake at night, take a look at your sleep habits and give yourself the best possible night’s sleep. Your brain will thank you for it.
