Here is how the sleep process works and how you can make yours work better

High quality sleep is essential for longevity.

High quality sleep helps us be healthier, process the demands of our day, and get stronger mentally and physically.

When we know more about the sleep processes within the body, we are more powerful in shaping our lifestyles to work with these processes. The result - better sleep.

Tune in and learn:

• The definition of a good night's sleep,
• The ideal targets for REM and Non-REM sleep,
• The two main processes within the body which regulate sleep - sleep drive and circadian rhythms,
• Key lifestyle choices that improve and support high quality sleep.

I describe how lifestyle supports or disrupts sleep drive and the circadian rhythms. It is important to know that:

• The master clock in our brains, which regulates sleep, relies on the light signals that come into the brain through the eyes
• Melatonin goes to work in the dark - exposure to bright lights in the evening can disrupt its work.
• Serotonin - the neurotransmitter that promotes wakefulness - is a pre-requisite to melatonin.
• Cortisol levels naturally increase and decrease during the day. Stress can add to these levels, making it difficult to downshift the body in preparation for a good night's sleep.

If you feel that better sleep would improve your health and your life, it is an important issue to address. Recurring and significant issues with sleep should be evaluated with the help and guidance of your doctor. You want to rule out the potential of any medical issues and get support if an issue needs medical intervention like sleep apnea.

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