Sleep & physical activity
Mood and sleep
It’s no surprise that sleep, or a lack of sleep, affects our mood. One sleepless night will cause most people to be more irritable, short-tempered and stressed. After a good……
Are you exercising hard enough?
A word of caution.If you have been inactive for a while, you may want to start with less strenuous activities such as walking or swimming at a comfortable pace. Beginning……
When should I sleep?
Our levels of alertness and attention are influenced by our circadian rhythms, as shown in the figure below. Circadian rhythms allow us to feel more alert during the day and……
When will fatigue occur?
The time of day affects fatigue, due mainly to the body’s circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms are natural body rhythms that are driven by the cycle of day and night. The……
Sleep debt
Sleep debt is the cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep. Two kinds of sleep debt have been proposed: 1) partial sleep deprivation; or 2) total sleep deprivation. Partial sleep……
Managing mental health with your lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is paramount for the treatment and prevention of mood disorders. Healthy lifestyle includes a combination of healthy eating, regular exercise and reduced alcohol consumption. Lifestyle changes help……
Avoiding injury when exercising
Regardless of your exercise choice, one truth applies to everyone: preparation can prevent injury. Many common exercise injuries stem from overlooking two basics: warm-up and stretching. Warm-up: The idea of……
Dreaming
There are many theories about dreams including how they occur and what they may mean, if anything. Dreams may not serve any purpose at all and may be merely a……
Hydration
Your body needs adequate fluid and electrolytes in order to have any chance of feeling energised. If these needs are not met, then physical and mental fatigue will increase, as……
How much sleep do you need?
The amount of sleep that people require varies between individuals depending on many factors. Age is a major determinant of the quantity of sleep. The table below provides a general……