We spend roughly one third of our life asleep. Good sleeping habits are important for maintaining general health and well being.
Whilst you are sleeping, there are number of systems working to help improve your health. Protein synthesis occurs to help boost muscle mass, helping to repair cells and tissue, this is particularly important when recovering from an injury. Healing and repair of blood vessels occur helping to decrease your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. In addition your immune system is boosted which helps to fight common infections.
Insufficient sleep increases a persons risk of developing chronic medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
There are lots of things we can do to help improve the quality of sleep. Eliminating light in the bedroom, avoiding using electronic gadgets an hour before bed and having a regular bed time can all help develop good sleeping patterns.
To get a goods nights sleep good posture is important. A good mattress that doesn’t sag will help support your low back helping to reduce low back pain and help reduce interrupted sleep through tossing and turning.
A good pillow is extremely important. Your pillow should help maintain the natural curves in the neck and provide adequate neck support. Your perfect pillow will depend on your sleeping position. Back sleepers usually require a flatter pillow, whilst side sleepers benefit from a higher pillow. Regardless of your sleeping position, the pillow should be under your head and not under your shoulders, helping to keep your head in a more neutral position.
Talk to your physiotherapist if you would like advice on buying a new pillow or on the best sleeping position for your injury.