Sleep well, stress less! Your heart needs it

Sleep and stress are the two main factors that can influence almost every body function.

Sleep and stress are the two main factors that can influence almost every body function. Sleep, stress, and heart health are inherently connected when it comes to a woman's well-being.

While stress and sleep are widely recognised as pivotal factors influencing overall health, recent research has shown the profound impact these elements can have on the cardiovascular system, specifically in women.

Stress has probably been one of the most underrated reasons for most diseases. When chronic or severe, stress impacts both physical and mental health.

While heart disease stands at the forefront, other conditions include a weakened immune system, endocrine disorders, depression, asthma, musculoskeletal disorders and poor gut health.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women worldwide. Stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can raise blood pressure and heart rate.

Women may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of stress due to the interplay of hormonal factors and social circumstances, such as caregiving responsibilities and work-related stressors.

Women are often at a higher risk of experiencing poor sleep compared to men. This is because women's hormone levels fluctuate throughout their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.

Stress is experienced differently between genders, with women more prone to emotional exhaustion and men tending to feel “more depersonalised.” These factors, combined with biological and social influences, increase women's vulnerability to stress-related issues and sleep disturbances.

Since sleep plays a vital role in cardiovascular health, inadequate or disrupted sleep can contribute to inflammation, increased blood pressure, and impaired glucose metabolism.

Sleep deprivation can intensify the physiological stress response, increasing blood pressure and heart rate even further. Moreover, stress can impair sleep quality and duration, leading to a vicious cycle that exacerbates the negative impact on heart health.

During sleep, our breathing rate, heart rate, and blood pressure naturally decrease. Disrupted sleep hampers the heart to rest and disrupts the body's immune processes. Deprived sleep can increase the risk of immune-related diseases.

Sleeplessness is widely prevalent, and there is also a stigma attached to it, the expert added.

While people know that sleep is essential for health and well-being, a large part of the population is unaware of the impact of sleeplessness on daily life.

Since melatonin, an important hormone for sleep, gets disrupted due to sleep deprivation, it creates an imbalance in the body’s internal clock that gives way to broader effects like metabolic dysfunction, immune disorders, neurodegeneration, and psychiatric conditions.

TACKLING SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND STRESS

Stress Management: Techniques like meditation, yoga, and regular exercise can help reduce stress levels.

Sleep Hygiene: Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a relaxing sleep environment, and limiting caffeine and electronic device use before bedtime can improve sleep quality.

Seeking Support: Engaging in social support networks and seeking professional help, when necessary, can assist in managing stress and sleep-related problems.