What happens when you sleep?
As you fall asleep, your body releases melatonin, a hormone that signals it’s time to wind down. Body temperature drops, heart rate slows, and breathing becomes more regular. In deeper stages of sleep, your muscles relax further, and brain waves slow. Sleep spindles (short bursts of brain activity), help with memory consolidation and learning.
In slow-wave sleep (SWS), the body performs vital restorative work: growth hormone is released to repair tissues, inflammation decreases, and the brain clears out waste products like beta-amyloid, which have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Once deep sleep ends, the body transitions into REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. This lighter stage is when dreaming occurs, and the brain becomes highly active, consolidating memories and processing emotions. REM sleep usually occurs after about 70-90 minutes of sleep and becomes longer in each cycle as the night progresses. (Sleep happens in cycles throughout the night.)
When you wake up, melatonin levels decrease, and cortisol increases, helping you feel alert and ready for the day ahead. This delicate hormonal balance ensures both physical and mental restoration.
What happens when you don’t get enough sleep?
• Inflammation: Lack of sleep boosts inflammatory markers (like IL-6 and TNF-alpha), leading to chronic low-grade inflammation. This can worsen pain from conditions like arthritis or muscle tension.
• Hormonal Imbalance: Sleep regulates cortisol, the stress hormone. Without enough rest, cortisol remains high, causing increased stress, muscle tension, and weakening your immune system’s ability to heal.
• Cognitive Effects: Sleep is essential for memory consolidation and clearing out toxins. Sleep deprivation leads to cognitive fog, poor focus, and a higher risk of anxiety or depression.
Your pledge to prioritise sleep
Quality sleep isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity for your health. While it may seem tempting to sacrifice sleep to get more done, brain fog and fatigue only reduce productivity in the long run. Set a consistent bedtime and follow a calming wind-down routine. Limit caffeine and alcohol, which disrupt deep sleep, and practice mindfulness to reduce stress. What would you say to a child who was struggling to sleep? Can you treat yourself with the same care?
But if physical discomfort is affecting your sleep, we’re here to help with that. Call us to book an appointment with one of the osteopaths.
PS: We’re on Social Media. Why not follow us on Facebook or Instagram (click on the links below) for more gentle reminders (OK – naggings) about a good night sleep and a healthy lifestyle?
Information provided here (including text, graphics, images, outbound links, and other material) is for informational purposes only. It is general in nature and is not to be used or considered as a substitute for personalised professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified allied health provider regarding any symptoms, medical conditions, or treatments and before undertaking any new health care regimen.
