Kidneys Will Thank You for Sleeping Well

One of the crucial parts of keeping our kidneys healthy is to rest well at night, ideally 7 – 8 hours per night regularly for most adults.

No doubt that sleep deprivation adversely affects our health. Researchers have linked sleep deficiency to several chronic health concerns, such as cardiovascular and blood sugar problems. There also is growing evidence of the link between sleep disturbance and kidney problems.

Research led by Ciaran McMullan, MD, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital once explained that the sleep-wake cycle regulates kidney function. It helps coordinate the kidney’s workload over 24 hours. Also, research suggests that people who sleep less usually have a faster renal function decline.

After Dr. McMullan’s explanation, it is obvious that prioritizing a good night’s rest is one of the critical practices to keep our kidneys and the rest of our body healthy to fight off health concerns. Here are what we can do to get a better sleep:

1. Bedroom is for sleep only. Using bedroom for sleep only will help associate the bedroom with sleeping, but not activity, working, or stress.

2. Create bedtime rituals. Doing the same relaxing thing, such as taking a warm bath and listening to calm music, can prepare our body for it’s about time to sleep.

3. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Those are the substances that interfere with sleep. Caffeine and nicotine are the simulants that make us harder to fall asleep. While alcohol may be sedative, it can cause frequent waking at night and nightmares.