Wake Up Your Tired Telomeres!

We all know that adequate sleep is key to good health. However, did you know that too little sleep or poor sleep quality can actually make you age faster?

Chronic lack of sleep is associated with a myriad of health conditions, including obesity, depression, and asthma. So, what is considered poor sleep?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, seven to nine hours of quality sleep is recommended each night for adults. Despite this, approximately 35 percent of Americans report their sleep quality is “poor” or “fair.” Occasional sleeplessness due to factors such as personal or job-related stress is expected. However, chronic, poor sleep patterns are increasingly considered a major factor for reduced health and quality of life.

How is sleep quality related to health?

One reason may be due to how sleep affects telomeres. Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of our chromosomes that are a significant marker of cellular aging. Previous research has linked shorter telomeres to poor sleep quality, and a current study published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website has suggested that there is a direct connection between sleep quality and shorter telomere length caused by chronic stress AND obesity.

As a health and wellness coach, I’ve learned about the effects of poor sleep, stress, and obesity. More importantly, I’ve learned what people can do to counteract them. There are many different types of products on the market that can help – cleanses that will free your body of built-up toxins, fat-burning systems that will help you lose weight, and products containing natural calming ingredients such as valerian root and the amino acid L-theanine, which will help you manage stress.

If you or someone you know is experiencing bad sleep, chronic stress, or wants to lose weight, please contact me. I’d love to help you take that first step toward being a healthier, happier you! Let’s wake up those tired telomeres!