Although it’s tempting to believe you simply need to sleep more when you feel constantly tired, there are in fact numerous conditions that might impede your quality of sleep, even if the amount of your shuteye is optimal. In time, lack of sleep can have a negative impact on your mental and emotional wellbeing, immune system and overall physical health.
And while there are many sleep troubles that can affect both ladies and gents, some seem to be stuck on the male part of the population more. So instead of making assumptions or waiting for the problem to subside on its own, keep an eye on the following issues and how you can manage them, in order to shield your health and boost your quality of life.
You’ve got the snores
If you snore often, wake up because of shallow breaths or you even stop breathing in the middle of the night, then might be suffering from sleep apnea – a condition that affects men more commonly than women, and especially if you are overweight, have a large neck, enlarged tonsils or severe allergies.
Not to be the barer of bad news, but this seemingly benign condition can have a major impact on your health – for starters, due to the frequent stopping of breath, your brain most likely doesn’t get enough oxygen.
Moreover, sleep apnea puts you at a greater risk for various cardiovascular diseases at a later age, such as high blood pressure and heart attack, while your headache might be the least bothersome side-effect of this persistent issue.
Depending on the cause, there are various solutions, such as simply avoiding sleeping on your back or losing weight, while severe forms can be treated with surgery or wearing a mask during the night that allows continuous air flow through your nose. Either way, don’t ignore the snore!
We also recommend investing in a no-more snore ring, they use ancient acupressure techniques to help improve your breathing. A natural, non-invasive and elegant way to help reduce or stop snoring.
Disguised depression
If you are often unable to fall asleep no matter how tired you feel, or you find it almost impossible to get out of bed even after an entire night of uninterrupted sleep, perhaps you might be battling a more serious issue that stems from a life situation. People who suffer from depression or anxiety often have trouble sleeping one way or the other, and devote much of their nights contemplating life and coping with their concealed emotions.
Unfortunately, men are often likely to ignore the subtle signs of depression, making it almost impossible to diagnose and treat it in its earliest stages. Contrary to the prevalent belief that to “man up” means to ignore, you need to confront your problem, and treat your emotional and mental health the same way you would a serious injury – seek professional help and stick to the prescribed treatment. Soon, your Zzzs will improve.
Teeth Grinding
Yet another way stress rears its ugly head during the night is when you grind your teeth, thus causing your jaw to hurt in the morning, and your dentist to give you the look. Although you probably don’t remember the occurrence of a stress dream, you aren’t always conscious when these moments happen, but since they happen in short moments of being awake during the night, it’s normal that you forget about them.
Teeth grinding is just another way your body is trying to cope with your daily stress, so you should try to include stress-relieving techniques to lower the risk of ruining that perfect smile. Listen to soothing music, meditate, get the best air purifier to keep your bedroom air fresh and free of irritants, and keep your sheets clean. Also, don’t forget to keep your dinner plate as clean as possible, because diet plays a key role in keeping your stress at bay.
Night Terrors
Unlike an occasional nightmare that doesn’t have to disrupt your sleep, having constant night terrors can lead to interruptions, especially in the earliest stages of REM sleep. It can cause unpredictable behavior such as screaming, yelling or sleep walking, and you will not remember the cause when you wake up. If you wake up with your heart pounding, breathless and covered in sweat, your night terrors might be caused by sleep apnea or underlying psychological problems.
While stress is often the main culprit, you can implement some lifestyle changes to decrease night terror frequency in time and ensure plenty of shuteye. For instance, ten minutes of meditation powered by positive thoughts and images can help soothe your mind.
To sum up, a healthy sleeping environment, as well as a lifestyle based on healthy habits can improve your sleep quality, prevent many future health issues and safeguard your wellbeing for years to come!