Sleep easy
Top doc Doireann says getting good shut-eye is ‘vital’
Quality shut-eye is the new wellness trend for 2020 and she reckons it’s vital for our physical and mental health as well as lowering stress and keeping us alert.
She told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “It’s a vital part of the foundation for good health and well-being throughout our lifetime.
“For overall good health, sleep is as important as diet and exercise, however, it always seems to be an afterthought.
“It wasn’t until I was training as a junior doctor and I had sleep deprivation that I actually realised how critically important it was for my physical and mental health. “I think a lot of people take it for granted.” The Cork GP added getting a bad night’s sleep can damage our physical and mental well-being and impair our performance in day-to-day tasks. She said: “Sleep disorders and chronic low sleep are associated with an increased risk of workplace accidents, low moods and increased anxiety. “It only takes one or two bad nights to have an adverse effect on our mental health. “Results of experimental studies suggest it’s associated as well to decreased response times and this is why we see many road traffic accidents happening.” The blogger went on to suggest that not getting enough rest is in fact a significant risk factor for many serious illnesses
Sleep is good for you including diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
And Dr O’ Leary said good sleep hygiene – a term used to describe good sleep habits – is vital for our health.
She added: “Some simple tips for making the sleep of your dreams a nightly reality would be having a regular schedule, avoiding coffee after midday. Don’t take demanding calls or respond to emails close to bedtime and avoid bright lights and screen time.
“Alcohol is a big nono. It can make people drift off but it won’t result in a good quality sleep. It’s so important we are mindful of how important it is.
“Clean sleeping is the next big wellness trend.”
news@irishmirror.ie