The Importance of Sleep: How Medmate Can Help

Many people don’t realise just how important sleep is when it comes to their overall health and wellbeing. Perhaps that could be you too. If you suffer from persistent ailments or psychological difficulties that just don’t resolve, perhaps it’s time to look laterally at the problem. Could poor sleep be a core contributor to the issues you face? Is it worth prioritising good sleep as part of your health routine?

At Medmate, we not only think that good health is inextricably linked to good sleep, we know so.

Importance of Sleep

By leading a fast-paced, busy life, your sleep can often take a backseat in your priorities. You may regularly ‘borrow’ a few hours of what should be sleep time to focus on your work or family commitments—until it becomes your norm. Or you may lead such a fast-paced life that your mind and body find it hard to ‘switch off’ and get to sleep or to stay asleep..

The importance of sleep cannot be downplayed. There are many benefits to getting a full, deep, restful night’s sleep, including:

• Physiological benefits – A good night’s sleep has a calming effect on your nervous system with flow-on positive effects on your state of mind. During deep, restful sleep, the body repairs and regenerates damaged tissues and cells, keeping your body healthy and helping you feel refreshed and energised for the start of the following day.
• Psychological benefits – Getting sufficient sleep enables you to cope much better with the everyday stresses of daily living. This has positive effects on navigating your relationships – both work and personal. And it enables you to better focus on and accomplish your daily tasks.
• Long-term health implications – When you get good sleep consistently over the years, you can reap the benefits in all aspects of your life: you are better able to maintain both mental and physical health so you can lead a healthier, happier life.

Common Sleep Issues and Their Impact

Sleep issues can manifest in several different ways. While they all impact your overall health to some degree, some are more pronounced and require more urgent medical assistance.

The most common ones include:

• Insomnia – this is when you find it difficult to fall asleep, or stay asleep. After a night of insomnia, you will not feel adequately rested and the resulting tiredness will likely negatively impact your cognition. While this is not immediately detrimental, it can be potentially dangerous if you operate heavy machinery or drive a car.
• Sleep Apnea – is when your airways are repeatedly blocked while you sleep and your breathing stops and starts multiple times. This can have a serious effect on your health and should be discussed with a healthcare professional as soon as you become aware that you suffer from this condition.
• Restless Leg Syndrome – this is when you have a persistent, powerful urge to move your legs, as if to ‘shake off’ an unpleasant sensation. It can significantly disturb your ability to sleep. While restless leg syndrome is difficult to cure altogether, it can be managed using a number of effective techniques to lessen its impact on your sleep and health.

Understanding Sleep Hygiene

Perhaps it’s time to establish and prioritise sleep hygiene in your life on an ongoing basis. Sleep hygiene is all about creating good habits conducive to good sleep. Some of these include:

• Restricting your intake of stimulants such as caffeine, especially in the latter part of the day. This includes avoiding or limiting such beverages and foods as coffee, energy drinks and colas, caffeinated tea (like black tea) and chocolate. For the most part, herbal teas are a great substitute for stimulating beverages. Drinking chamomile tea or valerian herbal tea at bedtime is especially great for promoting sleep.
• Consciously create and adhere to a ‘wind-down’ routine each night. It is wise to avoid varying the time you go to sleep so that your body syncs into a good, regular sleep pattern. Restrict watching TV (or screen time) after a certain time, and create a quiet, peaceful atmosphere in your home by dimming the lights an hour or two before bed time.

And finally, allow your body to adjust to your new sleep hygiene habits. Keep with the practices even if they don’t work for you immediately. Especially in cases of chronic insomnia, It can take an average of 66 days to form a habit that becomes a permanent behaviour, so invest in your health by committing to good sleep hygiene.

The Role of Medmate in Sleep Health

If you have been struggling to overcome your sleeping issues, Medmate can help. One of our online doctors will speak with you about your concerns and to obtain a background about your sleeping issues. A tailored plan to overcome your sleeping issues will be devised for you to restore sleep hygiene in your life, and in turn, create better mental and physical health.

Online Doctor Consultation for Sleep

The best, most convenient way to obtain bespoke, professional help for your sleeping problems is through an online doctor consultation. With Medmate, you simply choose a date and time for a video chat—or audio-only chat. Then you find a quiet, private place where you can speak with your doctor.

Ready for a Better Night’s Sleep?

If getting a good night’s rest has eluded you, perhaps it’s time to contact the professionals at Medmate. Schedule an online doctor consultation, and one of our dedicated doctors will create a tailored sleep plan that is best for you. Contact us between 9am – 9pm Australian Eastern Time 7 days a week on 1300 858 909. Or fill out this form to make an appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve your goal of better sleep soon.