Oh sweet sleep! This is such an important part of our mental and physical well-being that it gets a whole day to itself. Sleep needs change as we age, ranging from 12-18 hours when we are very little to 7-9 hours in adulthood. Many of my patients are chronically sleep deprived and they quickly learn that getting consistent, deep, restorative sleep can be life-changing!
Chronic sleep deprivation builds up over time. Studies show that getting less than 7 hours of sleep for 2 weeks leaves people functioning at the same level as if they had not slept for two days straight! And since our focus and alertness decline slowly, we may not even be aware of how poorly we are functioning.
Sleep is where the body heals and repairs itself, it literally washes the waste product out of your brain and is crucial for every system in the body. Mental focus, mood and the immune system are particularly affected by poor sleep (quality or quantity).
Another modern invention that disturbs good sleep is shift work. The WHO (world health organization) recognizes shift work as a known human carcinogen. This means working nights and sleeping during the day increases your risk for cancer. Scientists think this is because daytime sleeping does not result in the same production of melatonin, which acts as a powerful antioxidant in the body. There’s no way around it: humans are meant to sleep when it is dark outside. Disrupting that disturbs our internal clock.
Naturopathic doctors take a comprehensive look at your health. We ask about the many factors that influence health, which we term “The determinants of health.” Taking a patient-centered approach lets us build a comprehensive plan to help patients achieve their health goals.
Are you looking for a new kind of partnership with your primary care provider? If you are ready to start or revitalize your health journey, you are in the right spot! Check out my bio to get in touch. I offer free 15-minute consultation calls to answer your initial questions. Convenient telehealth appointments are available from the comfort of your own home.
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