Celebrate World Heart Day 2022 By Sleeping

Your heart cares. Do you?  This World Heart Day 2022, September 29, make a promise to yourself to care for your heart the same way it cares for others. Beat heart diseases and keep your heart healthy by making sure you pay proper attention to the one important thing you’ve been missing out on—sleep! You may not realize the direct connection and many ways that sleep affects your heart.

The Connection Between the Heart and Sleep

Even if you are actively making heart-healthy decisions in other areas such as eating healthy, exercising, or meditating, these activities will only get you so far if you’re simply not getting enough sleep. Sufficient sleep is often overlooked as a direct connection to a healthy heart. Individuals who do not get enough sleep find their hearts begin to have problems despite healthy choices in other areas. According to the CDC, insomnia is linked to high blood pressure and heart disease. Over time, poor sleep can also lead to unhealthy habits that can hurt your heart including higher stress levels, less motivation to be physically active, and unhealthy food choices. Therefore, getting adequate sleep is necessary to ensure your heart stays healthy.

How Sleep Affects Your Heart

There are numerous direct links between sleep and your heart health.

• Studies have shown that sleep deprivation leads to a higher risk of heart attack.
• According to the National Institute of Health, studies have found that lack of sufficient sleep might lead to a condition called atherosclerosis, which in turn increases the chances of cardiac arrest.
• According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, research shows bad heart health is not a cause for worry only for older people. Poor sleep can lead to cardiovascular issues among the young, as well.
• Studies warn us that the lack of sufficient, quality sleep can lead to higher Body Mass Index (BMI), adversely affect cholesterol levels, and cause hypertension.

All these negative effects can be avoided if you simply get one thing each night: optimum sleep! Making sure you get enough sleep every day can help you avoid such heart problems.

Steps To Having Great Sleep for A Healthy Heart

1.    Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is extremely important to get adequate sleep and keep your heart healthy. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day and make sure you’re getting at least 8 hours of sleep.  Create a routine before bed in which you shut off all electronic devices and wind down before settling into the coziest bed. Make sure to maintain this routine on weekends. Taking a short nap during the day can also help you catch up on sleep and reduce stress. Make sure it is a short nap and early enough in the day that it does not interfere with your sleep at night.

2.    Balance Your Exposure to Light

Expose yourself to sufficient natural light throughout the day. Getting adequate natural light during the day helps your circadian rhythm. Try to avoid blue light from screens at night, especially right before you sleep. Keep your devices off before bedtime. The blue light emissions from your devices tend to disrupt the natural release of the sleep hormone known as melatonin, which in turn disrupts your sleep. Light can also trick your body into believing it is still day and lead to sleep deprivation issues. Read about eliminating blue light and blocking out ambient light with an eye mask to sleep better.

3.    Choose Down Etc

One of the simplest ways to improve your chances of a great night’s sleep is to choose the comfiest comforters and pillows! Down Etc’s products are tailored to help you achieve optimum sleep that results in a healthier heart. Check out the fluffiest Down Etc pillows and the coziest Down Etc comforters.Have a great night’s sleep and a happy World Heart Day 2022! 

Originally posted on September 27, 2021. Updated for dates and links.