We live in a culture that strongly values productivity and activity above all else. We have lost the value of rest and relaxation and we have forgotten how to do it! Everyone needs a good 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Watching TV, browsing the Internet, or playing with any type of electronic device, is not really very restful and yet this is how many people think they are “unwinding.” Insomnia has reached epidemic proportions. It is estimated to be the #1 health-related problem in America. 43% of adults report that daytime sleepiness interferes with their normal daytime activities.
The benefits of a full night sleep include:
- Enhanced memory and mental clarity
- Improved athletic performance
- Boosted mood and more energy
- Stronger immune function
- Increased stress tolerance
Less than 6 hours of sleep can lead to the following:
- Depression and anxiety
- Impaired immune system
- Weight gain (you snooze, you lose weight, of course)
- Cognitive decline
- Mood and mental health decline
- Systemic inflammation
- Increased risk of death
So how do we make our sleep better? The very best advice I can give you is go to bed earlier! Having a lot of energy late into the night is a sign of a disrupted circadian rhythm. When circadian rhythms are disrupted, even if it’s not at the point of being diagnosed with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), we are at a greater risk of developing cancer, heart disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
Here are some tips for keeping your circadian rhythm functioning well:
- Get outdoors in the early morning and afternoon for a quick walk or bike ride or any other type of moderate exercise. Being outside in daylight is key.
- Restrict computer and TV viewing at night. All electronic devices should not be in your sight for at least one hour before bedtime.
- Wear blue light blocking glasses when using your phone and computer.
For millions of years, human sleep patterns remained in sync with the daily variation of light exposure. We rose with the sun and went to bed soon after sundown. This is what bodies are adapted for. The most important factor in getting a good night’s sleep is managing stress during the day. High cortisol at night disturbs sleep. What I would highly recommend are good yoga-type breathing and movement exercises that promote daytime relaxation and a good night's sleep.
If you’re looking for the best collagen for sleep, you may want to try taking Shore Magic marine collagen powder. Shore Magic collagen contains glycine and one of the many benefits of glycine is that it helps calm the mind, helping you sleep better. Glycine is involved in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and sleep.
Studies have shown that taking glycine before bed can improve the quality of your sleep and reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. Many of our customers find that when they take Shore Magic collagen close to bedtime, the results are even better.
Sweet Dreams!
