Whether you’re a stomach sleeper, fetal position sleeper, or you toss and turn all night, how you sleep and your sleep habits reveal important information about your health. Your sleep habits can reveal underlying sleep problems, possible causes for your poor sleep, along with other elements from your health such as your diet.
Here are some common sleep habits that many of us partake in along with what they reveal about your health and well-being.
What Your Sleep Habits Reveal about Your Health
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You have difficulty falling asleep: If the struggle is to fall asleep, then this can indicate a few things. For starters, you may need to tidy up your sleep hygiene. Ensure the room is dark and cool. It could also signal other factors like stress or medications you may be taking, which can prevent falling asleep. Lastly, this is a strong indicator of insomnia, especially if it’s tied with frequent awakening throughout the night.
You hit snooze several times in the morning: If you keep telling yourself “just another five minutes,” then it’s time to clean up your sleep schedule. If waking up is difficult, then creating a schedule is necessary to train your body to wake up naturally at a time that makes you feel well rested. This may involve going to bed earlier or adjusting your sleep hygiene. Regardless, avoid snoozing as it can disrupt your sleep schedule.
You wake up exhausted: If you get seven to nine hours of sleep and wake up exhausted, then take a close look at your diet. A diet low in fiber and high in fats and sugars can disrupt your sleep, so even though you think you slept for eight hours, you didn’t actually achieve restful sleep, which means you wake up tired.
You wake up at 3 AM: A night of drinking can have you awake in the early morning/middle of the night. It’s suggested that you stop drinking at least two hours prior to falling asleep.
You snore: Many people believe snoring is a sign of being in a deep sleep but really, it’s a sign of a serious sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. In order to determine whether you have sleep apnea or not, you need to undergo a monitored sleep test. The good news is that sleep apnea can be treated so the first step is being diagnosed.
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You’re too busy thinking: Thinking in bed can keep you up all night. Worrying about the day’s stress, trying to solve problems, or nighttime planning can keep you up all night. Sleep is a time to restore oneself and relax, but if you bring stress to bed with you, then you won’t be doing much sleeping. Finding ways to unwind prior to bed so you aren’t up-all-night thinking is important to improving sleep.
You’re waking up to urinate: Waking up to urinate in the night can be quite disruptive to your sleep, but it has different causes ranging in severity. For starters, evaluate your fluid consumption throughout the day and prior to bed, you may need to cut back. If fluid isn’t to blame, then speak to your doctor. Nighttime urination can also signal an infection or bladder problems. It’s important to note any accompanying symptoms along with your nighttime urination.
Related:
- 11 best essential oils for sleep apnea treatment
- How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?
- How sleeping on the floor can be healthy
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
