Sleep like a baby with this simple but effective habit that has even been proven to lower the risk of a heart attack, ease muscle pain, and alleviate the symptoms of a common cold
Struggling to dose off, especially now the cooler weather has kicked in?
Millions of Brits have struggle sleeping, and if the NHS recommendation of seven to nine hours seems laughable to you – then you’re probably one of them. Disturbed, or a lack of, sleep can wreck havoc on the body, from reducing our cognitive ability to slowing down our reaction times and even dampening our sex drive.
With cold temperatures creeping across the nation, many households are also struggling to stay warm – which can have a huge impact on our ability to get enough kip. Gadgets like heated blankets are a great way to provide some much-needed warmth without sending your energy bills skyrocketing, but there’s another habit that will unlock even more benefits.
NHS GP Dr Hana Patel has teamed up with Victoria Plumbing to stress that there aren’t a lot of problems a hot bath can’t fix. It might sound simple, but sometimes the classic hacks are the best. “Research and evidence show that a warm bath before bed can help a person fall asleep and improve sleep quality,” the doctor said in a statement sent to the Mirror. “The reason for this is that a bath will help lower your core body temperature, and this can help with our circadian sleep signals.”
As we enter the months where colds and flu always seem rampant, baths can also provide relief by easing congestion and loosening mucus, especially if you add a drop oor two of essential oils like eucalyptus before you step in. A regular soak in the tub will do wonders for those muscle aches too, while adding a handful of epsom salts will boost this benefit.
It doesn’t stop there, as Harvard Health explains that regular soaking or sauna sessions can even prevent heart attacks and strokes. “The high temperatures in a warm tub or sauna cause your blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure,” says Dr. Adolph Hutter, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “he volume of blood your heart pumps will also rise, especially in a hot tub. That’s a result of the pressure of the water on the body, which increases the heart’s workload.”
However, if you’re suffering with conditions like angina, poorly controlled high blood pressure, or serious heart issues – you should avoid hot tubs and saunas altogether and make sure your bath isn’t too hot as this can cause your blood pressure to dip too low. You should never feel dizzy or lightheaded after a soak.
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