Sleep isn’t just for lazy Sundays; it’s a super important tool to help your body and mind heal from addiction. Thus, forming a relative to an addiction recovery journey is a tough process and presents many demands and obligations. At Jagruti Rehab Centre in Pune, rest is considered an essential factor in the individual’s recovery progress and is important for appropriate bodily health and spirit stabilization.
Why is Sleep Important?
Sleeping is very key to our total healthy living. It enables the body to get time to rest and heal and also get refreshed to continue with the daily activities again. What this means is that when we are denied sleep, there are wide-ranging health impacts on the body and the mind. It is especially relevant in cases of substance use disorders as sleep can be identified as one of the top priorities in addiction recovery.
Supports Bodily Restoration: Sleep also serves to rehabilitate the body and get rid of toxic metabolic products to perform essential functions.
Regulates Mood and Emotions: A good night’s rest is essential in the prevention of anxiety and depression and stability of the mind.
Enhances Cognitive Function: Sleeping enhances memory and deep thinking or decision-making and also helps one to stay up to date.
Boosts Immune System: Sufficient sleep improves the client’s health since the body is more capable of resisting diseases.
Provides Essential Energy: Even when a person is a passive participant in the recovery process, sleep ensures that the energy is available for active participation in it.
Understanding the Sleep Cycles
For one to give adequate importance to sleep during the recovery process, it’s crucial to comprehend the structure and features of sleep cycles. A typical sleep period is made up of 3-5 cycles, every cycle is made up of 3 stages of NREM and 1 stage of REM.
NREM and REM Sleep
Sleep architecture, the structural organization of normal sleep, consists of two core types: Looking at the classification of sleep, there are; Non-Rapid Eye Movement, NREM and Rapid Eye Movement, REM. NREM sleep is called non-rapid eye movement sleep and is described in four stages about the defined depth of the sleep and the characteristics such as the waveform of the brain’s electrical activity, eye movements, or muscle tension. REM sleep on the other hand entails desynchronized brain wave activity, and muscles are turned off with rapid eye movement.
The sleep cycle ranges from 70 to 120 minutes where the most NREM periods of sleep occur in the initial few hours of the night whereas there is an increased occurrence of REM sleep in the later parts of the night.
The Benefits of Getting Enough Sleep During Addiction Recovery
Sleep is not considered a privilege in addiction treatment because it is a human essence. Just like a refreshed player plays better, getting enough sleep allows you to have the abilities that enable you to handle stress, change your mood, and remain smart, all these are important for a reload.
Sleep should be seen and considered as a power skill that’s very similar to a relaxing superpower. If you lack sleep your body forms stress hormones such as cortisol which can make you flare, become wary and vigilant. However, a sufficient night’s sleep helps regulate the above hormones to offer a feeling of tranquility and relaxation. This helps intensify the control over feelings and emotions and although people with proper rest do not necessarily have less appetite, they can come up with the right decisions.
Reduced stress and anxiety.
Aggravating factors that usually push substance abusers back to drugs include stress and worry, and this is why substance abusers must ensure that they have adequate sleep. Lack of sleep leads to the production of extra stress hormones which include cortisol and this results in feeling anxious and tense. Whereas, on the other side, having enough sleep balances these hormones and makes the person feel relaxed and at ease.
Also, sleep influences emotional regulation and since individuals in recovery are always required to practice self-control, sleep is essential. This means that when we do not sleep well, we are not very efficient in regulating our emotions and this makes us react impulsively or make wrong decisions. People in rehabilitation who focus on getting an adequate amount of sleep will have the ability to deal with feelings and kinds of stress in a non-destructive way.
Improved mood.
Getting enough sleep can also have a big impact on mood, which is especially important for people in addiction treatment. Lack of sleep makes one moody and may make you feel irritated, sad, or even depressed. It is easier to be positive and hopeful when we are well-rested, and therefore getting enough rest is likely to enhance the positive effects of Scherer’s organization-based interventions. This is because sleep helps manage chemical products that affect the mood of any human being. In this way, having enough sleep can help increase the generation of serotonin which brings the feeling of happiness and well-being.
Individuals who prioritize sleep throughout addiction rehabilitation might enhance their general mood and lower the chance of relapse caused by unpleasant emotions. This can help individuals stay motivated and committed to their rehabilitation goals.
Certain practices to get good sleep
Given the central importance of sleep, recovery programs often incorporate various sleep practices, including:
- Establishing a consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine
- Limiting exposure to screens and blue light before bed
- Engaging in relaxation practices like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing
- Addressing any underlying sleep disorders like sleep apnea
- Avoiding stimulants, heavy meals, and alcohol close to bedtime
Sleep isn’t just about counting sheep; it’s a powerful tool in your recovery toolbox, especially when you’re at Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre in Pune. By prioritising those precious hours of shut-eye, you’re giving yourself a fighting chance to manage stress, boost your mood, and keep your mind sharp. Remember, a good night’s sleep is an investment in your recovery – and a happier, healthier you!
