How a Lack of Sleep Can Affect Gut Health

Your gut health, an essential part of your overall wellbeing, can greatly benefit from prioritising good quality sleep. It's important to ensure that you receive enough restful sleep each night, as it plays a significant role in keeping a healthy balance of your gut flora - the living microorganisms that help with digestion, producing vitamins and supporting the immune system. 

Poor sleep quality can negatively impact your gut health, leading to a range of issues. This can include digestive issues, a weakened immune system, and even mental health problems, as the gut is closely linked to the brain. By establishing a regular sleep schedule, you can contribute positively to your gut health. Remember, a healthy gut is the cornerstone of a healthy body and mind.

How are the brain and gut linked?

Your gut and your brain are constantly communicating with each other. For instance, when you feel those fluttery sensations in your stomach because you're anxious, that's your brain sending signals to your gut. On the other hand, if stress gives you a stomach ache, that's your gut sending signals to your brain.

In our gut, we have a lot of good bacteria. They assist in breaking down food, protecting us against sickness, and even creating chemicals that our brains need to help us feel relaxed and content. That's why it's so important to maintain good gut health; it not only influences our thoughts and emotions but also the efficiency of our digestive system.

How Lack of Sleep Can Affect Gut Health

Lack of sleep can affect your gut health in several ways:

1. Imbalance of Gut Bacteria

2. Digestive Issues

3. Increased Risk of Obesity and Diabetes

4. Weakened Immune System

5. Mood Changes

Not getting enough sleep can mess up the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut. This can lead to problems like an upset stomach, heartburn and acid reflux. It can affect the way your body processes sugar, which can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of diabetes. Plus, it can weaken your immune system, meaning your body will have a harder time fighting off bugs and germs.

As the gut and brain are closely linked, poor sleep can also lead to changes in your mood and overall mental health. So, it's really important to try and get a good night's sleep as much as possible; it can make a big difference to both your gut health and your overall well-being.

Exploring the Connection Between Gut Health and Sleep 

Research has shown that people with more variety in their gut bacteria tend to sleep longer and better. When we talk about 'better sleep', we mean the actual time people spend sleeping while they are in bed, not just lying awake.

Other research has looked at how our gut bacteria, sleep, and a brain chemical called serotonin are related. Serotonin is important because it helps control our sleep, including how well we sleep and for how long. Interestingly, serotonin is also found in our gut, where it helps speed up digestion to get rid of irritating foods or toxins. Some studies suggest that if too much serotonin is used to help digestion, it might affect our sleep negatively. So, prioritising good quality sleep is vital for our overall wellbeing.

How to improve your sleep

There are many ways to improve your sleep, but here are some tips that we recommend:

• Incorporating a relaxation routine – Trying using the 4 7 8 Breathing Method or 20 minutes of yoga before bed. This will help to lower your stress levels and help you clear your mind before you sleep. 

• Reduce your screentime before bed – Screens emit blue light which reduces melatonin, which will make it harder for you to fall asleep.

• Establish a bedtime routine - Humans naturally crave routine, so establishing a regimen that conveys to your brain that it's time to sleep can help you drift off more easily. 

However, the most important way to improve your sleep is to make sure you have the right mattress and pillow for you. With TEMPUR®, you can expect a peaceful night’s sleep every night thanks to the comfort and pressure relief of TEMPUR® Material. Browse now through TEMPUR®’s collection to find the mattress and pillow that are right for you.

How to improve your gut health

Aside from improving your sleep, there are many more ways to improve your gut health. We recommend the following:

• Eat high-fibre foods – high-fibre foods are important as they stimulate the growth of gut bacteria, which in turn, improves your gut health

• Take a prebiotic or probiotic - Prebiotics serve as a nutritional source that encourages the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the gut, whereas probiotics are live beneficial bacteria themselves which help to improve your gut health

• Stay hydrated - Maintaining proper hydration is generally beneficial for your health, but it can also help you avoid constipation. 

How has your quality of sleep impacted your gut health? Let us know on Facebook and Instagram…