So how do you get deep sleep - what is the secret?
This is what I asked myself when I kept on waking up tired.

Are you getting enough sunlight? I know I wasn’t.
If not then your body can’t get enough deep sleep.

I am a proud internet addict but my nocturnal vampire habits can have it’s downsides.
It kinda disrupts a few things, like our bodies need for sunlight.
Being hooked up to the net means I am mostly in a room all day and under artificial lights - not good for deep sleep.

Without enough sunlight our bodies don’t get the deep sleep needed to restore our bodies natural chemical balance.

My internet lifestyle keeps my mostly at my desk and out of sunlight, my doctor told me this can have serious effects as your body never gets into deep sleep mode and recharges your batteries.

It’s essential your body gets the rest it needs.
Know that without deep sleep you will have a slowing of your brain power, feel tired and find it hard to concentrate.

How Deep Sleep Works

1. Sunlight
When you get exposure to sunlight via your eyes it stimulates the Pineal gland. This produces Serotonin

2. Body Clock Is Set
Darkness signals the release of Melatonin.

3. Serotonin Turns OFF
This allows you to sleep and so your brain is able to replenish your Serotonin stores throughout the night.

4. Restorative Deep Sleep
This is how your body reaches restorative deep sleep mode.

Why office blocks and homes with artificial lights are not good for deep sleep?

Artificial lights are not strong enough to activate our Pineal gland that manufactures the chemical Serotonin.
Worse still if you eat lunch at your desk it will be a sure recipe for insomnia.

Your Body Clock Demystified

Know how your Circadian Rhythm (body Clock) works and why it’s not worth getting out of whack.

It’s essential that you keep a consistent body clock as this will control your sleeping habits.
You body operates on a kind of natural rhythm.
This is determined by when you go to bed each night and when you get up.

Your Sleep-Wake Cycle

This cycle regulates your bodies temperature and will get your body prepared for restorative deep sleep.
The slowing down of brainwave pattern is accompanied by satisfying rest, creative insight, moments of genius, faster healing, and no doubt more…

Providing you go to bed around 9-10pm by midnight your body temperature is low (a low temperature is great for deep sleep).
Then by 6 or 7am your temperature rises with increased sunlight causing you start waking up.

NOTE: Don’t sleep in a room which cannot get light in the morning.

By mid afternoon your body reduces in temperature again - this is why some cultures have a sleep in the afternoon.
It also explains why you feel tired around 2-3pm.
By 5-6pm your body heats up again which will keep you going and functioning till bedtime.

If you disturb this natural pattern then you will put your body clock out of whack and find it hard to concentrate when you need to.
Shift work and traveling are notoriously bad for you body clock - not to mention being on your computer all night…

Conclusion

A good night’s sleep is the result of a well functioning melatonin system.
By getting a deep sleep many of your bodies chemical imbalances created during the day are restored.
Darkness triggers Melatonin and sunlight triggers Serotonin - our bodies need both in equal amounts - there’ no way around this.

Bottom Line

Get wireless internet so you can still be connected and be outdoors so you can some Sun rays rays for a good night sleep.