Lack of sleep can be dangerous, causing fatigue and significant
mental impairment. Chronic sleeplessness can also contribute to
heart and memory problems as well as to immune deficiency which
makes us more susceptible to infections. There are some people
who suffer from sleep disorders. However, many of us can benefit
from some education and some good sleep habits. What is
melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by a part of
our brain called pineal gland. Basically, it tells our body when
it is time to fall asleep and when it is time to wake up. The
amount of melatonin in the body remains very low during the
daytime and gradually increases as nighttime approaches. The
secretion of melatonin peaks in the middle of the night, and
gradually falls during the second half of the night allowing for
a gradual awakening. The natural production of melatonin
decreases with age. What interferes with restful sleep? The
production of melatonin can be negatively affected by: -
Exercising too close to the bedtime