How sleep reduces your risk of developing prostate cancer and tips on acquiring that good night’s slumber.

 

source: commons.wikimedia.org

 

Everyone knows a good night’s sleep is an essential factor in maintaining optimum health. Well, for those who insist that they can go on with less than seven hours of sleep daily, are at risking themselves with multiple complications in the long run.

You may not notice it now, but without a well-rested sleep of more than six hours, your body gradually deteriorates at a cellular level; which is why anything less than the required hours of sleep may increase your chances of developing prostate cancer dramatically.

 

Melatonin for Cancer Prevention

 

Compared to men who refuse to sleep appropriately, those who make it a nightly habit to acquire at least seven hours of hibernation, have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Studies found out that men who had slept sufficiently with just a few interruptions, increase the presence of melatonin (sleep hormone) in their urine. Melatonin can prevent the progression of prostate cancer, especially in older men.

 

Melatonin is a hormone stimulated by the brain as a reaction to darkness. The quality of a person’s sleep pattern influences the release of melatonin in the body. Therefore, those who experience insomnia or regular sleep interruptions affect the production of sleep hormone inside the body.

 

How to Sleep Better

 

“Sleep is for the weak,” they said. Well, if you don’t sleep, you’ll definitely get weaker and more ineffective; need I mention the increased risk of prostate cancer? With all the hustle and bustle, and the increased levels of stress and anxiety, along with deadlines and endless meetings, sleep for adults, especially for men, have become a foreign concept.

 

Tossing and turning and convincing yourself that you are about to fall asleep might help, but there are a couple of useful methods that you can do instead of pleading every night for your brain just to sleep itself away.

 

“You Are Getting Sleepier…”

Suggestion via self-hypnotism is said to be one of the most effective ways to divert your brain’s attention from the aggressions of the day to your warm, comfortable bed. Hypnotic suggestions like telling yourself that you are floating on water with the soft breeze on your face, lulling you to slumber, is an efficient way to encourage correct sleeping patterns. There have been studies that indicate improved sleep quality by 81% was made possible by hypnosis.

 

This was explained by John D. Moore, PhD. He says, “When you are hypnotized, you allow your subconscious mind to receive messages that calm your thinking. Through careful scripting (created by your trained professional), you are better able to receive input that deprograms anti-sleep thinking and encourages restful thoughts.”

 

Nap Not

 

Napping is not for everybody. While some can indulge in the benefits of naps for about 15 to 30 minutes, there are those who’d be subjected to sleepless nights if they welcomed even the mere thought of snoozing for a couple of minutes. Naps should not be more than an hour; anything beyond that nap requirement can contribute to sleep deprivation at night, thus the inability of the body to create melatonin.

 

According to Michelle Olaithe, PhD, MPsy, “sleep appears to be best when consolidated at night, so don’t let your napping interfere with your night-time sleep.” She further explains, “Excessive daytime tiredness could be a clue to an underlying sleep or health problem: when in doubt check with your doctor.”

 

Silence!

 

Silence everything – lights and sounds – for they will disrupt sleep in a significant way. As previously stated, darkness is a contributing factor for melatonin production which then leads to a groggy, sleepy, calming effect. According to clinical psychologist Michael J. Breus, PhD, “Melatonin is called the “Vampire Hormone” because it is produced primarily in darkness and inhibited by light.” He explains, “The levels of your melatonin increase in the middle of the night and gradually fall as the night turns to morning, so exposure to light before bed can push your biological clock in the wrong direction – making melatonin ineffective.”

 

Any source of light, be it your phone, laptop, or television can significantly challenge your sleeping pattern. No matter how much you insist that your life depends on these devices, your life depends on sleep even more. So, choose one. Blocking the noises and the light will let melatonin flow in your system naturally.

 

source: pixabay.com

 

Goodnight

 

Instead of protesting, think of this as a concerned sentiment so you won’t have to suffer the consequences of having prostate cancer. Do this not only for the sake of your prostate gland but your entire well-being.

Prostate Cancer Prevention: Sleep to Live