Lack of sleep is a common scenario for parents especially if they have a newborn or a sick child. Although it is part of parenting, you have to understand that the lack of has a profound effect on your physical and mental health. It is believed that you need around eight hours of good sleep every night to function properly. However, some need less.
With this, you have to find out how much sleep you need and then do your best to achieve it. In general, if you wake up feeling tired, it is likely that you are not getting enough sleep. It is the body’s way of telling you that it needs more rest. There are different factors that cause poor sleep including low GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric Acid) levels – a neurotransmitter.
A neurotransmitter refers to the chemical messengers of the body. GABA is derived from Glutamate – an excitatory neurotransmitter. An excitatory neurotransmitter generates an electrical signal. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which slows down the electrical signal in the neurons. As a result, it has a calming effect. The calming effect help induce sleep by reducing the neuronal excitability.
An occasional night without sleep will make you tired the next day but it will not harm your health. However, the effects of several sleepless nights are serious. Apart from maintaining a regular sleep schedule and limiting your caffeine intake before bedtime, there are doctors that prescribe GABA. With this, what to do for insomnia? It will depend on your weight, gender, and age. However, for general stress relief, you can take around 750-800 mg of GABA supplements every day divided into 3-4 doses.
It is important that you know the importance of sleep so you will know how to support it. Supplementing your GABA levels is a good start. Here’s why sleep is important:
Sleep can help you manage weight
There is no relation between gaba and weight gain but there is between lack of sleep and weight gain. Remember that GABA is a neurotransmitter known for its calming effect; it can aid in weight loss as a matter of fact. However, if you lack sleep, you are putting on some weight.
Sleep-deprived people have low levels of leptin, which is the chemical that makes you feel full and high levels of ghrelin, which is the hunger-stimulating hormone.
Sleep can prevent diabetes
If you lack sleep, the body will change its way when it comes to processing glucose. Glucose is utilised by the body for energy. Studies show that people who sleep less than 5 hours have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Sleep can ward off heart disease
If you have long-standing sleep deprivation issues, you should know that it is linked to an increased heart rate. An increase in blood pressure will put extra strain on your heart.
Sleep can boost immunity
Prolonged lack of sleep can interrupt your immune system. If the immune system is interrupted, you are prone to different illnesses.
Sleep can boost mental wellbeing
Chronic sleep debt is not good because it will lead to long-term mood disorders like anxiety and depression. If you have good sleep, your days will be brighter.
