Sleeping well is a matter of health.

If you haven't guessed yet, I'm talking about sleep, and more specifically, quality sleep. A person who dies of old age will have slept for approximately 25 years or even more. It's clear that if it weren't necessary, evolution would have allowed us to sleep fewer hours a day or not at all, but it turns out that sleeping well is a matter of health.

Sleeping well is a matter of health. Because while you sleep, your body rests, your skin regenerates, and your brain enters a state necessary for learning, as memories are formed, and to be able to continue functioning the next day.

Swollen legs from spending many hours on your feet experience a reduction in edema. Growth hormone is released in children and adolescents, and the heart slows down, allowing it to recover as well (remember that the heart never stops beating from the moment you are born). That's why I say that sleeping well is a matter of health.

The immune system works better if we sleep well, which means we suffer fewer infections. Sleeping well is a matter of health, so important that if we were deprived of sleep completely, we would not survive beyond 11 days, and before dying we would have gone mad.

There is a very important difference betweensleeping deeply andsleeping lightly or for an insufficient amount of time. 

Sleeping well is a matter of health, and as more is learned in the field of neurology, new diseases related to or caused by lack of sleep or shallow sleep are being discovered .

The effects of poor sleep in the short term can be seen cognitively (problems with learning, concentration, and memory) and most noticeably on the skin. But if poor sleep continues, other more serious illnesses can appear, beyond dull skin or a day of poor performance. These are other reasons why sleeping well is a matter of health.

Long-term insomnia is linked to appetite disorders that lead to obesity. Over the years, it increases the likelihood of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as senile dementia, Parkinson's, or Alzheimer's. 

Getting a good night's sleep is also a matter of mental health; depression can also be a consequence of poor sleep, as it alters the brain's biochemistry.

Since sleeping well is a matter of health, try to avoid excessive stress by doing some kind of exercise or physical activity during the day, but not right before bedtime.

Avoid exposure to bright lights, especially from digital devices, for at least an hour before going to bed. These devices and LED lights have a strong blue light component, which disrupts circadian rhythms and, above all, your sleep and wake cycles. Sleeping well is a matter of health: turn off your screens and get some real rest.

Use a good mattress, tailored to your particular needs, and replace it when necessary, because sleeping well is a matter of health. The lifespan of a mattress varies depending on several factors. So you can't rely on the unwritten rule that a mattress should be replaced every 10 years. It depends on many things, but it's clear that when it's time to replace it, if you don't, your sleep will suffer, and perhaps your back too.

Consult your doctor if your insomnia problems are persistent or if they are due to an organic cause, such as chronic pain. Sleeping well is a matter of health, and therefore you may need some pharmacological treatment because, remember, it is not just a question of waking up rested or not, but your health is at stake.

There are three things you can do to stay healthy: 

- Eat a balanced diet
- Engage in physical activity that is appropriate for your age and circumstances
- Ensure you get enough rest. 

Isn't it worth trying to meet these three requirements? In my case, it's clear to me: sleeping well is a matter of health. So I'm committed to all three to feel better today and for many years to come. 

And, between us, also to look younger as the years go by. Here is a relaxation session to do before going to sleep.