Sleep hygiene and cortisol management key to physical and mental health

Health experts are highlighting the critical roles of sleep quality and cortisol regulation in maintaining physical and mental performance.

Neurophysiologist Javier Albares emphasizes that irregular sleep schedules are a primary error in rest routines. He notes that many individuals mistakenly believe that the quantity of time spent in bed equates to effective recovery. Albares suggests that the first step toward improvement is understanding actual sleep quality rather than simply attempting to sleep more, noting that factors such as blue light exposure, heavy meals, and alcohol can undermine deep sleep phases.

Complementing these insights, naturopath Virginia Quetglas addresses the impact of chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels. While cortisol is necessary for survival and recovery, maintaining a permanent state of alert can lead to significant health issues, including hippocampal damage, increased abdominal fat, high blood pressure, and premature aging. Quetglas advocates for a natural protocol to transform stress from a toxin into a manageable physiological response to restore bodily equilibrium.