Did you know there is a special day dedicated to sleep education?
World Sleep Day, Friday 19th March 2021 is an annual event, intended to be a celebration of sleep and a call to action on important issues related to sleep. It is held the Friday before Spring Equinox each year.
New research, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, finds that sleep deprivation increases sensitivity to pain by numbing the brain's painkilling response. So that means the less you sleep, the more pain or discomfort you may feel in your body.
One in 3 adults in North America, or 35 percent of the adult population, do not get enough sleep. Do you fall into this category?
1 in 3 adults do not sleep enough
Effects Due to Lack of Sleep
The effects of sleep deprivation on the brain are numerous, from cognitive impairment to hindering our ability to learn and form new memories.
Yet new research highlights another neurological effect of insufficient sleep: heightened sensitivity to pain. The brain assesses the pain differently without sufficient sleep. Regardless of the soft tissue injury, without a good night’s sleep, pain tolerance is lessened. (medicalnewstoday.com)
Lack of sleep can also cause inflammation in the body, which will often result in muscle aches and pains and can exacerbate inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Be sure to check out the Mend my Back recipe book to help combat chronic inflammation with healthy recipe ideas. Adequate rest combined with proper movement and optimal nutrition is a winning formula to keep inflammation low and stay resilient.
Sleep and Back Pain Can Throw You In a Vicious Cycle
It is reported that people living chronic back pain and muscle aches often do not have healthy sleeping patterns and low-quality sleep increase the risk of developing widespread pain, particularly as we age. We offer below five tips for a better night’s sleep.
Benefits of a Good Night's Sleep
The body’s healing processes are most active during sleep, so if you’re recovering from a soft-tissue injury, or have chronic aches and pains, not getting enough sleep may mean you need a longer time to recover.
There are wide-spread benefits to getting a good night’s sleep. When we are more rested, we feel better, have less pain sensitivity, we are able to make better decisions, have improved memory and heal faster.
Make your sleep rituals a priority to optimize your overall health and happiness.
Causes of pain might include:
- Muscle or joint injury
- Chronic conditions such as arthritis
- Over-training for sports
- Poor posture or non-ergonomic working environment during the day
- Body muscle weaknesses and imbalances.
Fast Tips for Better Sleep
We’ve got your back,
Laura and Ian
