Cancer is the leading cause of death globally. You will know how true this is when you listen to some prayer channels online. But is there a relationship between your sleep and cancer?
Indeed, quite a number of the testimonies people share are about recovery from cancer.
Some persons will make a defense for the increasing number, saying we in an information age.
Sadly, death is the sleep that everyone gets at the end of life, but people also have the power to choose how they will die. A good example are people in the Holy book, who just sleep.
Really, when death comes, it forces people to take the long-lasting sleep. Sadly, these are people who may have deprived themselves of sleep in their lifetime.
How Much Sleep?
You see, somehow, in the middle age, a human walks into a time in life that the body notices a major change, but how soon into 40 this will come depends on the past life of the individual. The period between 20 and 35.
Let’s put figures to it.
Per 24-hours period, an adult needs between 7.5 hours to 8.5 hours of sleep. Remember the three equal parts of the 24 hours you have, talked about earlier (1).
Some persons have asked: What do you need 8 hours of sleep for each day. These same persons say they get just four hours sleep and work while others slept.
Well, not many of them are magnanimous enough to tell you how they support their body with nutrient and necessary workout to make up for the lost sleep time. Some use sleep music to race into deep sleep faster and somehow increase the amount of rest their body gets in a short period of time.
Others take supplements and natural remedies that often keep their hormones balanced amidst their irregular sleeping pattern.
Sleep Reward
Well, in case you don’t know, there is a love affair between your hormones and your body.
Your body owes your hormones a form of reward to pacify them (keep them under control).
One of such reward channels is SLEEP!
Unfortunately, a large amount of people who seek creation of wealth sacrifice some hours of sleep time, staying awake and giving the hormones signal to go haywire.
In 2021, a study looked into the effect of a lack of adequate sleep on an individual (2).
At the end of that study, it turned out that inadequate sleep increases the risk of cancer.
How does this happen?
According to another study’s multivariable analysis of individuals who slept less than 6 hours per night showed they had a 41% higher risk of cancer than those who slept for 6-8 hours per night.
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The study says individuals who did not nap during the day had a 60% higher risk of cancer than those who napped for more than 1 hour per day (3).
Alteration Of Hormones
When a person is sleep-deprived, there is an imbalance of hormones that could happen.
According to studies, this alteration as a result of poor sleep pattern could trigger cancer.
For instance, a study says poor sleep quality may also contribute to specific types of cancer development via different mechanisms.
It stated that sleep disturbance increased the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone, which could lead to increased risk of thyroid cancer [4].
In a woman, repeated sleep disruption may cause chronically elevated estrogen levels, which could lead to breast cancer risk.
While these are research-based claims, the causal relationship between sleep and overall or specific cancer risk and underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unclear and require further investigation.
There are different ways to increase the amount of sleep you get per day.
Exercise And Right Nutrients Balances Hormones
If you are one who returns home late and wakes very early, you will need to supplement with superfoods. Also, you need to engage in physical activities no mater how little.
The World Health Organisation recommends that you get at least 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week (5).
Adding superfoods like nuts, seeds, high fibre foods and vegetables to your diet will load you with nutrients that will pacify your hormones and keep them balance.
Indeed, studies have shown that hormonal balancing improves just about every aspect of your life.
It could boost energy, lower stress/anxiety, elevate mood and sharpen your mind.
Also, it will help you get even a deep, restful, rejuvenating sleep every night.
Above all, it is important that you take a nap in the day if you do less than 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night.