Sleep and Psoriasis
When my psoriasis flared leaving my body covered in red, bleeding sores I could always associate the flare up with lack of sleep.
Sure, my diet may have been more acid and I may not have been outside in natural sunlight recent days, but every time my psoriasis flared - I knew it was time to make sure I got a few nights' sleep.
Sleep is a psoriasis healer - I know. When I awake after a great night's sleep of at least 8 to 10 hours - my psoriasis flare-up has subsided.
Did you know that while you sleep your body actually repairs and restores itself.
Here are some interesting facts:
With lack of sleep your body makes more ghrelin and less leptin. Ghrelin is a hunger hormone, and leptin is a hormone that tells you when you’re full. Research indicates that people eat 300 less calories per day when they are well rested! Wow..
While you sleep your brain is sorting out what it wants to keep and what it wants to store. Try asking yourself a question before nodding off and see if the answer pops into your head when you awake. Amazing isn't it?
Getting at least 7 - 9 hours of sleep makes you happier.. and lessens symptoms of depression.
Sleep helps to encourage tissue growth, fight bacteria, attack viruses(you make more white blood cells when you are sleeping) and you are less likely to come down with a cold with regular, healthy sleep.
Your body eliminates toxins while you sleep and your blood pressure dips and gives your heart a rest too.
I have read that the hours before mid-night are the most productive sleeping hours - so getting to bed by 9p.m. is a good habit to get into.
There is a lot of web buzz about clearing your room of electronic devices or at least turning them all OFF when you go to sleep to ensure a healthy sleep.
Decades of flying for business and grabbing sleep on a plane has left me with a sleep habit. I sleep with an eye mask. It has become my "sleep trigger". As soon as I place it over my eyes - I feel myself drifting off. It also prevents me from waking to the morning light. My eyes have always been light sensitive and this simple little habit has been a great sleeping tool.
Apparently, the best position to sleep is on your back with your arms loosely by your sides and your legs slightly apart... no crossing of arms or twisting yourself into a ball (Oh dear, I do this) and let all that nice healing energy have a clear pathway to every organ of your body.
So next time your psoriasis flares - Take a good "healing sleep" - turn off your iPhone, computer, television and music, put on some comfy sleepies, make sure your pillow is not too high, affix your eye mask, lay on your back, relax your body and sleep for at least nine hours.
Happy Healing
Article sources :
Web MD - The Healing Power of Sleep
