One-third of a person's life is spent sleeping, so if you have bad habits when it comes to sleep, it can be very harmful to your body. Especially for women, the following habits should be absolutely forbidden:
1. Getting angry before bed
Getting angry and upset before bed can increase heart rate, cause rapid breathing, and lead to racing thoughts, making it difficult to fall asleep.
2. Eating a heavy meal before bed
Eating a heavy meal before bed forces the digestive system to work harder, and a full stomach can constantly stimulate the brain. When the brain is stimulated, it becomes difficult for a person to fall asleep, as traditional Chinese medicine says, "If the stomach is not at ease, sleep will be disturbed."
3. Drinking tea before bed
Tea contains substances such as caffeine, which can stimulate the central nervous system and make a person feel more energized. Drinking tea before bed, especially strong tea, can further stimulate the central nervous system, making it difficult to fall asleep.
4. Intense exercise
Engaging in intense physical activity before bed can put the nerve cells that control muscle movement in a highly excited state. This excitement does not subside quickly, making it difficult for a person to fall asleep. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the body calm before bed, but light activities such as taking a walk are also beneficial.
5. Using a pillow that is too high
From a physiological point of view, a pillow should be around 8 to 12 centimeters in height. If it is too low, it can cause "stiff neck" or the accumulation of excess blood in the head, leading to headaches and puffy eyelids the next day. If it is too high, it can affect the airway and cause snoring. Prolonged use of a high pillow can also lead to discomfort in the neck or hunchback.
6. Sleeping with hands under the pillow
Sleeping with both hands under the pillow not only affects blood circulation and causes numbness and pain in the upper limbs, but it also increases abdominal pressure. Over time, this can lead to "reflux esophagitis". Therefore, it is not advisable to use hands as a pillow while sleeping.
7. Covering the head with a blanket
Covering the head with a blanket can cause difficulty in breathing. Inhaling carbon dioxide that one exhales is extremely detrimental to health. It is especially not recommended for infants and young children, as it can pose a suffocation risk.
8. Mouth breathing
Sleeping with the mouth closed is the best way to maintain vitality. Breathing through the mouth not only inhales dust but also easily stimulates the trachea, lungs, and ribs with cold air. It is best to breathe through the nose, as nasal hair can block some dust, and the nasal cavity can warm the inhaled cold air, which is beneficial to health.
9. Sleeping against the wind
The ability to adapt to environmental changes during sleep is reduced, making it easier to catch a cold. Ancient people believed that the wind is the cause of many illnesses and that one should avoid sleeping in windy areas or sleeping outside in the dew. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid sleeping near drafty areas, and the bed should be positioned away from windows and doors.
10. Sleeping while sitting
Some people sit on the couch after a full meal, turn on the TV, and make a cup of tea. It feels comfortable enough. Maybe they are too tired from work and end up falling asleep while watching TV. This leads to the second major risk! Sleeping while sitting can slow down heart rate, dilate blood vessels, and reduce blood flow to various organs. Combined with the need for blood supply for digestion in the stomach, this can worsen brain hypoxia, leading to dizziness and ringing in the ears. Some people suggest taking a nap during lunch break, but who wants to bring a blanket to work? It may save some effort, but the body will protest.
