Listen to this article“Sleep is that golden chain that ties our health and bodies together”. Sleep is essential for preserving balanced health. In fact, shortly after we are born, sleep plays a significant role in our development. As we get older, sleep influences our mental and physical health.
Yet, in our modern world, sleep has become more and more scarce; a luxury reserved for a minority. Create the perfect conditions to enjoy a deep and restful sleep with Synctuition for more balanced wellbeing.
The Poor Sleep Epidemic in Numbers
Sleep has become more and more scarce with the years. Back in 1942, Americans got 7.9 hours of sleep per night. In 2013, that figure was 6.8, making it a 13% decrease. According to the CDC, 35% of adults don’t get enough sleep. In the U.S., 30% of adults suffer from insomnia, and 10% from chronic insomnia. The problem has become so widespread that, by 2025, the sleep aid industry will be worth $114.15 Billion USD.
Why We can’t Sleep
Lack of sleep is caused by several factors. Experts suggest these may be biological factors, unhealthy sleeping habits, or specific foods or drinks. Most recently they have linked insomnia to the inability of the brain to stop being awake. Sometimes, we simply can’t fall asleep. We stay awake, thinking about dozens of things, waiting for sleep to arrive. Yet, all the thoughts you’ve been harboring during the day take the center stage, taking advantage of this moment of quiet and stillness.
As if this wasn’t enough, our relationship with technology further complicates things. Our smartphones, computers, tablets, and other electronic devices have become so essential to our daily lives that it’s hard to put them down. We simply can’t resist the urge to have one last look at our email feed before bedtime. This might not seem like a big deal, but technology affects your sleep patterns in several ways. Technology keeps your mind engaged. By doing this, it tricks your brain into thinking it needs to stay awake. What’s more, the blue light emitted by screens restrains the production of melatonin – the sleep hormone. Less melatonin makes it difficult for you to fall and stay asleep.
How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Managing stress and getting good, high-quality sleep are essential to preserving your health. How you manage stress has a significant influence on how well you sleep at night. Fortunately, relaxation techniques have shown positive effects on stress management and high-quality sleep. When you integrate such techniques in your daily routine, you are better able to deal with stress and anxiety during your day, and help you de-stress, ensuring a placid night slumber. So, what are the most efficient ways to relax?
Guided imagery
Close your eyes. Imagine yourself in your favorite place. Get creative and engage your senses. Think about how this place looks, smells, and feels. You are likely to experience a physical reaction. Perhaps your muscles relaxed or you smiled in delight. This is the power of the imagination. Guided imagery is a mind-body technique that can help you reduce stress levels and promote good sleep. It’s also an excellent way to connect the conscious and unconscious mind. Spending 20 to 30 minutes imagining a pristine beach or beautiful forests can help you forget about the stressors of the day and prepare your mind and body for sleep.
Mindfulness meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a relaxation technique that can trigger the relaxation response, the opposite of the infamous fight-or-flight response. The goal of mindfulness meditation is to bring your mind’s attention to the present moment, without drifting into past or future worries. It involves breathing exercises to train your mind into evoking the relaxation response. Scientific studies suggest that this type of meditation promotes sound and restful sleep. The broader benefits of mindfulness include stress management, reduced anxiety, increased attention, increased thinking, amongst many others.
Soothing sounds
Remember the last time you went to the beach? You were probably laying under the sun, dozing off, and feeling at ease with yourself. You were able to listen to the distant sounds of ocean waves, crashing onto sand or rocks. This rhythmic sound is well-known for creating a mental state of relaxation, gentle focus, and contentment. And it’s not just water. Nature sounds, such as the noises you might encounter in the middle of the woods of wilderness are famous for inducing sleep. According to a study published in Nature, nature sounds lead to more outward-focused attention in the brain, which is the opposite of inward-focused attention associated with anxiety, stress, and depression — all factors that jeopardize our sleep.
Falling Asleep with Synctuition
Synctuiton has worked with a select team of world-class neurologists to develop the perfect sound frequency to help you enjoy a better night’s sleep. By combining mindfulness meditation, soothing sounds, and guided imagery, Synctuition provides a much needed mental shower at the end of each day. As you listen through headphones, Synctuition’s soundscapes will wash away negative and stressful thoughts, preparing your mind for optimal sleep.
