You're not going to sleep on your way to success...except in this case!
An increasing number of people in Denmark are suffering from sleeping difficulties – some people from insomnia (the inability to sleep), whilst others struggle to wind down, resulting in light or poor quality sleep. Many of us are guilty of not going to bed early enough, resulting in too little sleep!
If you are struggling to slumber, read on – as floatation therapy has been shown to be an effective tool to improve sleep duration and quality. Read about why sleep is important and how flotation therapy can help improve sleep in this post.
“Stop! You must not yawn when you’re at work, because it’s contagious!”
That’s what a colleague angrily said to me when my first workday was almost over. I remember just smiling at her and saying sorry, but she was deadly serious and said, “Don’t ever do that again.” And she was right, because in the eight years I worked there, I didn’t dare show if I was tired. But it’s actually silly, because fatigue and sleep are entirely natural parts of life, so why is it so problematic?
There is a tendency for people to regard sleep as a waste of time and associate it with laziness. However, sleep is necessary for human survival, and when one goes into standby mode, several different functions in the body take over. While you sleep, the body gains the peace to rebuild itself both physically and mentally. The body is busy because it needs to repair or replace damaged cells, dispose of waste products, and process memories and emotions. (Parsons, 2019). Lack of sleep can therefore have catastrophic consequences for your health, and that’s why there’s good reason for you to take your sleep seriously.
Why do we need sleep?
The number of people experiencing sleep problems is high, and almost everyone experiences some trouble sleeping occasionally. The causes of sleep problems vary from person to person – it could be due to stress or anxiety, or it could even be self-imposed. Some people consciously choose to suppress their sleep drive. In fact, nearly one in three Danes sleeps less than six hours every night, even though it is recommended that adults sleep 7-9 hours per night (Lyngbjerg, 2019). However, it is important to note that the number of hours each person actually needs can vary, and there is a difference in the needs of men and women.
In any case, lack of sleep has significant consequences and affects overall physical and mental well-being. Additionally, a sleep deficit greatly impacts memory, concentration, learning ability, and the immune system.
A wealth of scientific studies shows that too little sleep over extended periods can negatively impact health. Consequences can range from an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and strokes to diabetes, obesity, and premature death. Even short-term sleep deprivation can negatively affect us, especially our ability to concentrate. – Christine Parsons, 2019
You’re probably familiar with the words from friends; “You can sleep when you’re old!” or from mothers; “Shouldn’t you stay home and go to bed early?!”
It’s hard to know how much sleep is enough. But there isn’t really a right or wrong answer. It’s just about finding the golden mean, where you neither sleep too much nor too little. In the video below, scientist and professor of neuroscience and psychology Matthew Walker explains the issues associated with incorrect amounts of sleep. Walker’s two simple tips for improving sleep are: 1. Achieve regularity 2. Sleep cool.
The significance of neurotransmitters
Humans naturally have an internal circadian rhythm that automatically regulates various processes in the body. This means that even though many people routinely follow the amount of daylight outside, the body doesn’t necessarily need to be exposed to light or darkness to maintain a circadian rhythm. Our circadian rhythm is controlled by two interconnected signals in the body: ‘SCN’ and adenosine (Lyngbjerg, 2019).
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is a signal in the brain that regulates the feeling of wakefulness or tiredness and is often described as the body’s biological pacemaker. The other signal comes from adenosine, a chemical compound that accumulates in the brain when we are awake. This means that the longer we stay awake, the higher the level of adenosine accumulated in the body becomes, thereby increasing the urge to sleep (Parsons, 2019). These two signaling substances, among others, help stimulate the body’s sleep and circadian rhythm.
If you suffer from sleep problems, it might be a good idea to try floatation therapy. Floatation therapy helps you completely relax, making it easier for your brain to reach a dream state. Although you won’t get a full night’s sleep at once during your float, regular float sessions can help regulate your sleep patterns. As Matthew Walker puts it, regularity is key to good sleep (Walker, 2017).
Sign up to our newsletter for healthy living tips, articles and special offers!
Contact us if you have questions or feedback
Follow us
- Opening hours: 9-21 by appointment
- Telephone hours: 9-16 Monday-Friday
