What is Core Sleep?
Core sleep refers to the crucial part of your sleep cycle where you get the deepest, most restorative rest. It’s not just about the number of hours you sleep, but how well you sleep. Core sleep happens during the deeper stages of sleep, and it’s essential for your overall health.
Why Core Sleep is Important
Helps Your Body Heal: Core sleep is when your body does most of its repairing. Your muscles, bones, and tissues get fixed during this time. This helps you recover from the day’s activities and stress.
Keeps Your Brain Healthy: During core sleep, your brain clears out waste and helps with memory and learning. It’s like a reset button for your brain, making sure you can think clearly and remember things better.
Strengthens Your Immune System: Good core sleep makes your immune system stronger. A strong immune system helps you stay healthy and fight off illnesses.
How Much Core Sleep Do You Need?
Adults generally need about 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Within this, core sleep happens during the deep stages of sleep. Most people get enough core sleep if they have a good sleep routine. Typically, you’ll spend about 20-25% of your sleep in these deep stages.
How to Get Better Core Sleep
Stick to a Sleep Schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This helps your body get used to a regular sleep pattern and improves the quality of your sleep.
Create a Soothing Bedtime Routine: Try doing something relaxing before bed, such as reading a book or taking a warm bath. This helps your body know it’s time to wind down and get ready for sleep.
Make Your Sleep Environment Comfortable: Keep your room dark, quiet, and cool. Use blackout curtains if necessary, and consider using earplugs or a white noise machine if noise is an issue.
Watch What You Eat and Drink: Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol close to bedtime. These can disrupt your sleep and make it harder to get deep, restorative core sleep.
Exercise Regularly: Regular physical activity helps you fall asleep faster and get better quality sleep. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days, but try not to exercise too close to bedtime as it can be stimulating.
Signs You Might Not Be Getting Enough Core Sleep
Feeling Tired During the Day: If you often feel sleepy or tired, you might not be getting enough core sleep.
Difficulty Focusing: Trouble concentrating or remembering things can be a sign of poor core sleep.
Getting Sick Frequently: If you’re getting sick more often, your immune system might not be getting the support it needs from quality sleep.
Conclusion
Core sleep is a vital part of getting a good night’s rest. It helps your body repair itself, keeps your brain sharp, and strengthens your immune system. By following simple steps to improve your sleep habits, you can get the core sleep you need and feel more rested and healthy each day. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night, focus on creating a comfortable sleep environment, and maintain a regular sleep routine to ensure you’re getting the core sleep your body needs.