Tips for Sleeping Well

The average adult requires seven to eight hours' sleep a day to stay healthy.

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"When you sleep, your organs also rest and secrete much-needed hormones that boost the immune system, suppress excessive drives to eat, and control the emotions", said Han Jin-kyu at the Seoul Sleep Center.

A lack of sleep weakens the immune system, impairs memory, dries the skin, shortens tempers, often leading to depression if it becomes a regular pattern, he added. Sleep-deprived people also secrete more cortisol, the so-called stress hormone, which drives them to seek food and can lead to obesity.

One of the keys to getting a good night's sleep is to get into a regular routine, such as sleeping and waking at the same time every day.

"Exposing yourself to sunlight in the morning helps you to wake up", said Han. "But many people get up before the sun rises and drive to work or hop on the subway, thus lowering their exposure to sunlight. Staying up late also destroys the body's natural biological rhythm".

Han advises taking a 30-minute stroll in the sunlight each day and trying to get home early in the evening. As people sleep at night after their body temperatures gradually drop, taking hot baths or working out shortly before going to bed is not recommended.

Sitting in front of a bright computer monitor or TV screen prior to hitting the hay is also a bad idea as it stimulates the optic nerve, causing the brain to remain alert. It's better to read a book under a soft light in order to get a restful sleep.