In today’s society, we’re constantly ‘hooked-up’ to technology, contactable by email, text message, social media, and phone. And new products like smartwatches, smartphones and tablets have made this even worse.
One in 10 Australians feel that using and ‘keeping up’ with social media is a source of stress, according to a survey conducted by the Australian Psychological Society Stress and Wellbeing in Australia (2015).
So how do we eliminate this? Simple – disconnect. While this may seem easier said than done, there are things you can do.
Firstly, banish your phone from the bedroom. Scientists from the Harvard Medical School completed a study in 2013 which found that sleep deprivation is linked to having mobile devices in the bedroom.
As if that weren’t reason enough, the last thing you need after a long day is to be contactable when you’re relaxing or sleeping in bed.
It’s all too easy to pick up your phone and start replying to emails at night when it’s within arm’s reach. So, invest in an alarm clock and say goodbye to those pesky middle-of-the-night texts or social media alerts.
Sleep is one of the most valuable activities you could engage in and yet, it is also one of the most underrated health benefits.
For many years, forgoing sleep was seen as a status symbol for those trying to obtain success. But this is no longer the case. In recent years there have been countless articles published on the importance of sleep for good health.
The Australian Sleep Health Foundation (2016) conducted a study which revealed that 33-45 per cent of adults have inadequate sleep and 17 per cent of these people have even missed work because they were too tired.
Sleep deprivation negatively impacts our mood, our ability to focus, and our overall mental performance, according to the Harvard Medical School.
Even two or three hours less a night can have the same impact as pulling an all-nighter. Most of us lead busy lives with jam-packed schedules. So, how can we get around this?
Taking a nap, going to bed earlier or sleeping in on Sundays may not make up for lost time – but it will help you to get back on track. Even a 20-minute catnap can help to provide some relief.
The best thing to do, to ensure you get a sound night’s sleep, is to make your room into a haven. Make sure it’s cool, dark, quiet and comfortable.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol right before bed and ensure you have a good mattress to support your body. This is probably one of the best investments in yourself you could make.
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