Over 7 hours of sleep essential for overall brain health: Experts

Prioritising good sleep habits by getting at least 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep is essential for overall brain health and help reduce the risk of Alzheimers disease said doctors here on World Brain Day on SaturdayWorld Brain Day is observed on July 22 every year to raise awareness about brain health and neurological conditionsSleep is often the overlooked aspect of our daily routine and plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy brain A good nights sleep is essential for our brain to function at its bestWhen wellrested the brain demonstrates extraordinary resiliency Sleep is an essential component of the restorative process since it helps to consolidate memories remove toxins and reorganise brain networks These crucial processes are compromised when not getting enough sleep and cognitive deficits start to show Dr Vipul Gupta Chief Neurointerventional Surgery amp CoChief Stroke Unit Artemis Hospital Gurugram told IANSSleep deprivation impairs attention focus and task efficiency reducing overall productivity It compromises our ability to learn and retain information hindering educational achievements Insufficient sleep also affects emotional regulation and mood leading to negative emotions like irritability anxiety and depression Dr Anand Kumar Professor amp Head Dept of Neurology Amrita Hospital Kochi told IANSSleep also plays a part in the risk of dementia Studies have found a correlation between chronic sleep deprivation and an increased risk of developing Alzheimers disease later in life Sleepdeprived individuals may be more vulnerable to the accumulation of betaamyloid plaques which can eventually lead to cognitive decline and memory problemsOne of the remarkable mechanisms during sleep is the glymphatic system a waste clearance system that operates in the brain During sleep the glymphatic system works like a drainage flushing away harmful toxins and waste products that accumulate in the brain during the day This cleansing process is vital for maintaining brain health and optimal cognitive function Dr Karishma Jethmalani Neuropsychologist Rehabilitation and Sports medicine Sir HN Reliance Hospital told IANSHowever when we dont get enough sleep or are sleep deprived this cleaning process becomes disrupted The brains ability to remove toxic substances is compromised leading to a buildup of harmful proteins including betaamyloid which is closely linked to Alzheimers disease she addedConcern has been expressed over the diagnosis of dementia in young people as our society deals with an extraordinary prevalence of sleep problems and insufficient sleepMaintaining good sleep hygiene is essential for restful sleep and cognitive wellbeingExcessive use of mobile phones and screens at night disrupts our brains natural sleep signals due to the blue light emitted by these devices the doctors saidAdopting sound sleep habits is difficult due to the appeal of social media digital entertainment available aroundtheclock and infinite distractions A perfect storm for sleep deprivation is created by the breakdown of regular sleep rhythms and the invasion of electronic devices into the bedroom Gupta saidMental stress is another factor contributing to sleep disturbances One of the key contributors to sleep disturbances is excess worry about the activities of the next dayThis preoccupation prevents deep sleep which is vital for feeling energised and maintaining cognitive health Shallow sleep which occurs when we are stressed or anxious is not sufficient for rejuvenation and energy restoration Kumar saidTo improve sleep quality and cognitive functioning its crucial to reduce excessive worrying and engage in relaxation techniquesPrioritising 78 hours of quality sleep and adopting good sleep practices are vital for overall cognitive health and wellbeingMinimising screen time before bed and managing stress levels can significantly enhance the quality of sleep and boost cognitive performance during the day the doctors advisedAlso Read Here are 7 expert tips to combat stress and anxiety naturallyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever