We asked Thom at Catalyst & Flow about the importance of a good night’s sleep:
“Sleep is an absolute non-negotiable for me. Itโs one of the main things I ask about to all my clients in clinic, both in initial consults and follow ups. The importance of sleep for optimal health cannot be underestimated.
The scientific literature has demonstrated the numerous benefits of getting a good nightโs sleep โ a 7.5 โ 8hr sleep that is deep, restorative and (ideally) undisturbed. These include:
๐ด Reducing risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke and Type 2 Diabetes
๐ด Improving cognitive performance
๐ด Supporting the immune system
๐ด Regulating blood glucose and increasing insulin sensitivity
๐ด Improved athletic/exercise performance
Chronic poor sleep has been linked to:
๐ด Depression, anxiety and mood fluctuations
๐ด Inflammation
๐ด Increased body weight
๐ด Blood glucose dysregulation and insulin resistance
While youโre asleep the body is actually quite busy repairing, restoring and essentially cleaning house. Growth hormone pulses through the body, playing a vital role in cell repair & turnover, the metabolism of old DNA and the recovery of muscle tissues.
Most of us also dream when we are asleep. Some have lucid, abstract dreams, others have vivid dreams that could be the plot of a film! The jury is still out as to the actual function of dreams, but new research suggests it is the mindโs way of sorting through images and messages the brain has received to delete the useless and form long-term memories from the useful.
One of the keys to good sleep hygiene is a calming wind down routine that supports the natural cycle of the circadian rhythm. Please refer back to my post about night-time rituals which is all about this.
Invest is a good bed, pillows and bedding, make your bedroom your sanctuary.
When it comes to sleep โ get selfish and make it a priority because thereโs more than meets the eye to getting some shut eye.”
Catalyst & Flowโs specialist areas of focus include menโs health (both general & hormonal), gut & digestive health, autoimmune condition, stress & anxiety management, insomnia & fatigue.
As an introductory offer, Thom is offering 25% off initial consultations for new clients.
For more details and to book a consultation head on over toโฆ
- Online: www.catalystandflow.com
- Email: thom@catalystandflow.com
- Instagram: @catalyst_and_flow
