Why am I not able to rest well? Natural sleep depends on three hormonal systems. The first one is the sex hormones, which influence stages such as menopause and andropause, with insomnia being one of their main symptoms. The second hormonal system depends on stress hormones or cortisol, which, when at very high levels, can cause interrupted sleep, exacerbated by racing thoughts.
Why am I not able to rest well? Low levels of cortisol make us feel tired, even if we have slept enough hours. This is because cortisol regulates the circadian rhythm. The third hormonal system is melatonin. As we age, the production of this hormone decreases, or it can be disrupted by habits such as staying up late or being exposed to artificial light from smartphones, computers, or television, especially during the night.
The problem of insomnia has been associated with a decrease in work performance and an increase in the rate of car accidents, as well as a greater susceptibility to medical illnesses, according to a study conducted by the Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology at the University Clinic of Navarra in Pamplona.
Many people often sleep for 8 hours and wake up feeling tired, which can be due to poor habits caused by the current pace of life and a poor diet. Stress is one of the main causes of insomnia. When a person cannot rest properly, they can feel constantly irritable, tired, and have trouble concentrating, making daily tasks become very challenging.
But what can cause someone to not be able to rest?
The answer lies in hormones. We all produce a hormone called melatonin, which is responsible for regulating the cycles of day and night, also known as the sleep-wake cycle.
Darkness causes the body to produce more melatonin, which induces the body to sleep. It is antagonistic to cortisol, so high cortisol levels (stress) inhibit the production of melatonin, which is when we often experience insomnia or, despite sleeping "enough," we tend to feel tired.
At Elán Med Center, we recommend making small changes to help your body and mind achieve rest:
Go to bed only when you feel sleepy; the bed is for romance and sleep.
Get sunlight or be exposed to sunlight during the day.
Wake up at the same time every day, including weekends.
Avoid staying in bed awake longer than necessary.
Reduce or avoid the consumption of alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, sugar, and refined flour.
Avoid heavy meals before bedtime.
It is always important to undergo a medical check-up to have a comprehensive overview of our health.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, you can email us at info@elan.com.gt. Inquire about our natural Melatonin supplements by calling 22965986 and 7.
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