While many of us believe that sleep is a time when nothing happens, sleep is, in fact, at least from a neurological point of view, a very busy period of time. Basically, during sleep the body is restored, it recovers.

Sleep is a basic physiological need, like thirst and hunger, helping the brain and body to develop harmoniously and function well.

A restful sleep is one of the three essential elements for health, along with balanced nutrition and physical exercise. There are three important aspects of sleep:

➢ duration, it should be enough so that we can be rested the next day

➢ the continuity (the period of sleep must be without interruptions)

➢ the depth (sleep must to be profound enough)

Most people need, on average, about 8 hours of sleep to function properly, but the number of hours slept varies depending on age. Children and adolescents need more hours of sleep compared to adults, due to the intense development at this age and the fact that they are in a permanent state of learning.

Sleep habits can change as we age, but not the number of hours. For example, the elderly wake up more often at night, and therefore sleep less. But their need for sleep is similar to that of young adults, so the elderly tend to sleep more during the day.

It is important to exercise and consume energy.

Both intense physical exercise and walking or any other form of movement are useful, but it must be done during the day, not before bedtime.

We avoid alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine and heavy meals during the evening because they can disrupt sleep. Heavy or spicy foods can irritate the intestine and keep us awake longer. It is recommended to avoid any dish at least 2 hours before bedtime.

The bedroom must meet certain conditions for a peaceful sleep. First of all, the temperature should not be higher than 19-20 degrees Celsius. Specialists advice against placing a TV in the bedroom and if there is one there, you should turn it off 30 minutes before bedtime. It will remove any source of noise or light.

A relaxing activity, practiced just before bedtime, in a diffused light, can help us make the transition from demanding activities during the day to the peace we need to fall asleep.

We need to make sure that the mattress is comfortable, with an average degree of hardness. Pillows also have an important role and must be adapted to your own style of sleeping (on the back, on one side, etc.). In case of allergy to dust, we choose a mattress and an anti-allergic pillow.