Your circadian rhythm is a natural process that your body uses to help regulate functions such as sleep, digestion, hormone release, and body temperature. Based primarily on light exposure, each person has their own circadian rhythm according to their sleep cycle and lifestyle. You need a balanced circadian rhythm to complete a full sleep cycle. Read more about the circadian rhythm.

Sleep consists of four stages: falling asleep, light sleep, slow-wave sleep, and REM. A typical sleep cycle takes anywhere between 90 and 120 minutes, with most people completing 4 or 5 cycles a night. You can’t skip a stage, making sufficient sleep per night and good sleep hygiene essential for mental and physical well-being. Read more about the stages of sleep here.

Practising good sleep hygiene means creating an environment and lifestyle that supports your body’s need for sleep. Common examples include maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, keeping your bedroom free from distractions, and relaxing before bed. Tailoring a sleep routine to your needs is the best way to get enough sleep. Read more about sleep hygiene here.

Every person’s need for sleep differs according to factors such as activity level, age, and preexisting medical conditions. As a general rule of thumb, adults over 18 years of age should aim for seven hours of sleep or more. Most importantly, listen to your body’s needs and adjust your sleep schedule to suit. Read more about sleep here.

Regular disruption to sleep causes many issues, including (but not limited to) fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, brain fog, and daytime tiredness. It’s common to experience a combination of symptoms, and while they won’t harm your health in the short-term, long-term poor-quality sleep and insomnia can cause significant health issues. Read more about insomnia here.

Poor-quality sleep is linked to dozens of serious health problems, as your body needs sleep to repair cells, process information, and restore energy. The long-term impact of sleep deprivation includes memory problems, mood swings, weakened immunity, weight gain, high blood pressure and much more. Simply put, without rest, your body cannot function properly. Read more about sleep deprivation here.