3 Reasons Why You Are Waking Up In The Middle Of The Night

Published

6 years ago

October 11, 2018

Uche Solomon

A bad night of sleep is cumulative. The side effects of a poor night of sleep carry over into the entire day leaving your brain feeling exhausted, unable to focus and unproductive. It’s not abnormal to wake up throughout the night we all do. In fact, it’s programmed into our DNA; but if you’re waking up in the middle of the night and it’s routinely disrupting your sleep, here are 3 possible reasons why.

Stress

Stress is an inevitable part of the human experience. But the key to handling stress is how you choose to manage it. When managed poorly it can disturb your sleep, waking you throughout the night. Stress doesn’t take a rest when you do. Often times, stress travels with you back to your home and eventually into your sleep unless you deal with it. If you don’t properly handle your stress, you end up lying in bed mulling over your stress for hours, whether you are consciously aware of this happening or not.

When you mull over your stress, you are subtly keeping your brains in a state of “fight-or-flight”. When your brain is in a fight-or-flight mode, it has an extremely tough time falling asleep.

Bad sleep foods

A critical hormone in regulating sleep that you may be familiar with is a hormone called melatonin. Melatonin levels rise in your body roughly 2 hours before bedtime, triggering tiredness and sleepiness, then lowers throughout the night until you wake up.

However, it’s important to know that melatonin is conversely related to cortisol, your body’s stress hormone. So as melatonin goes up, cortisol goes down and we sleep. As melatonin goes down and cortisol goes up, we wake up.

Having too much cortisol in our body, especially as we get towards the end of the day, can have a negative impact on our sleep and can keep us waking up in the middle of the night when we really should be sleeping.

Not having a sleep routine

Your brain loves routine. There’s a saying in neuroscience that says “The Brain Wires The Way It Fires,” meaning the more the brain engages in the same activity or habit, the more wiring the brain lays down make it easier and simpler for the brain to accomplish.

When it comes to getting great sleep, having a “sleep routine” is crucial to helping the brain relax from the day and begin to set the stage for a great night sleep.

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Employment Will Teach You These 10 Lessons

Published

2 days ago

May 5, 2024

Adaeze Okechi

Employment Will Teach You These Lessons | Fab.ng

Employment, or working for a living, can be a double-edged sword.

Sure, employment is a great way to achieve financial security and independence. It allows you to pay your bills, afford the things you need and want, and build a nest egg for the future. But let’s be honest, it also comes with challenges you might not expect when you’re first starting out.

Let’s explore these employment lessons below:

1. Startup costs can be a hurdle

You start a job to earn money, but you also need money upfront for things like professional work clothes, reliable transportation to get to and from work, and maybe even some basic office supplies. It can feel ironic that you invest your own money just to be able to make more money at your new job.

2. The Monday blues can hit hard

If you’re not passionate about your job and employment, Mondays can feel especially dreadful. It’s tough to be motivated and energised to tackle a long week of tasks you don’t enjoy, even if the work itself is relatively easy. This can affect your overall mood and productivity.

3. Making ends meet can be a constant juggling act

You work diligently every day, putting in your hours and effort. But depending on your employment salary, your paycheck might only come once a month.

This can make it challenging to budget effectively and ensure you have enough money to cover all your expenses throughout the entire month. It might require some creativity and financial planning to stretch your paycheck as far as possible.

4. Payday loans can become a trap

If you’re not careful with your money management and overspend throughout the month, you might find yourself broke before your next paycheck arrives. It can be tempting to resort to payday loans or credit cards to cover your essential expenses until payday.

However, these options often come with high interest rates and fees, which can trap you in a cycle of debt and make it even harder to manage your finances in the long run.

5. Your well-being is paramount

When you’re desperate for a job and trying to get your foot in the door, you might downplay the importance of work-life balance and readily agree to work under pressure on your resume. But a job that constantly stresses you out and takes a toll on your mental health might not be worth it in the long run.

There are some things money can’t buy, like peace of mind, good health, and strong relationships. It’s important to get employment that offers a healthy work-life balance and doesn’t come at the expense of your well-being.

6. The side hustle can be a lifesaver

When your income from your main job isn’t enough to cover your bills and your desired lifestyle, you might find yourself brainstorming ways to make more money on the side.

This could involve starting a freelance business, taking on a part-time gig, or exploring other avenues to supplement your income.

The extra income can help you achieve your financial goals faster, reduce financial stress, and give you more breathing room in your budget.

7. Health truly is wealth

One unexpected illness or injury can wipe out your savings quickly. Medical bills and medications can be very expensive, and even basic health insurance might not cover everything. This makes staying healthy even more important.

Taking preventative measures like eating healthy, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep can help you avoid costly health problems down the road.

8. Relaxation is key to avoiding burnout

If you don’t take breaks and prioritise relaxation, you might get sick, which can be a financial burden due to missed workdays and medical bills.

It’s important to schedule time for vacations, hobbies, and activities that help you de-stress and recharge. A well-rested and relaxed employee is a more productive and resilient employee in the long run.

9. Sometimes privacy is necessary

Depending on your social circle and financial situation, you might try to hide the fact that you have a job, especially if people around you constantly ask for money.

You might avoid them to escape the pressure to lend them money or give financial handouts. This can be a way to protect your financial security and avoid feeling taken advantage of.

10. Appreciation for your parents grows

Seeing how quickly money comes and goes can make you appreciate your parents more. You realise it wasn’t easy for them to provide for you when you were younger.

They likely had to make sacrifices and manage their finances carefully to make ends meet. This newfound understanding can bring you closer to your parents and give you greater respect for their hard work.

Even though having employment has its challenges, it doesn’t mean being unemployed is better. Life can be tough, but you can learn to develop strong financial habits, find a job that aligns with your values, and prioritise your well-being to navigate the complexities of working life.

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HEALTHY LIVING

What Happens When You Don’t Deworm Your Intestines Often?

Published

3 weeks ago

April 14, 2024

Adaeze Okechi

See What Happens When You Don’t Deworm Often | Fab.ng

When you neglect to deworm regularly, you leave yourself vulnerable to a variety of health problems caused by intestinal worms. These parasitic creatures take up residence in your gut, feeding off the nutrients you consume. This can lead to a cascade of negative effects on your body, especially if left untreated.

1. Malnutrition

Intestinal worms are essentially thieves. They steal vital nutrients from the food you eat, making it difficult for your body to absorb essential vitamins and minerals. This can lead to malnutrition, particularly in children. Malnourished children are more susceptible to illness, have lower energy levels, and may experience stunted growth and development.

2. Anaemia

Certain types of worms, like hookworms, are notorious for feeding on your blood. This can lead to iron deficiency anaemia, a condition where your red blood cells don’t have enough iron to carry oxygen effectively throughout your body. Symptoms of anaemia include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and pale skin.

3. Digestive Issues

The presence of worms in your intestines can irritate the lining, causing a range of uncomfortable digestive problems. You might experience abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhoea, and even nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, heavy worm infestations can even lead to blockages in the intestines, requiring medical intervention.

4. Weakened Immune System

Chronic worm infections can take a toll on your body’s natural defences. When your immune system is busy fighting off worms, it has less capacity to fight off other illnesses and infections. This can make you more susceptible to other diseases and slow down your recovery time from illnesses you do contract.

5. Long-Term Health Risks

Left untreated, worm infections can lead to more serious health complications down the line. In children, chronic worm infections can hinder their physical and cognitive development. In adults, long-term worm burdens can increase the risk of malnutrition, organ damage, and even death in extreme cases.

If you suspect you or someone you know might have a worm infection, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment with medication prescribed by a healthcare professional can help prevent serious complications and ensure a full recovery. Remember, deworming is a preventative measure that can save you a lot of trouble down the line.

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HEALTHY LIVING

See 4 Reasons Men Prefer To Suffer In Silence

Published

3 weeks ago

April 13, 2024

Adaeze Okechi

See Reasons Men Prefer To Suffer In Silence | Fab.ng

Society often sends mixed messages about masculinity. On the one hand, emotions are a fundamental part of the human experience, something everyone shares. Yet, there’s a strange rule book for men when it comes to expressing their feelings. Phrases like “man up” and “don’t cry” become ingrained from a young age, creating a pressure cooker situation. This makes men suffer in silence.

Men are expected to be these emotionless superheroes, bottling things up to avoid being seen as weak. But this bottled-up approach can have serious consequences for men’s mental and emotional well-being.

Here’s a deeper dive into why men might feel pressure to suppress their emotions and suffer in silence:

1. The Myth of Mr. Invincible

Society has constructed a myth of masculinity that revolves around stoicism and emotional detachment. Showing vulnerability or admitting to struggles is seen as a sign of weakness.

This narrative creates a double bind for men. They’re expected to be these invincible protectors and providers, yet they’re expected to do it all without a single crack in the armour.

This emotional repression can lead to a sense of isolation and loneliness, as men may feel unable to connect with others on a deeper level.

2. The Lone Wolf blues

Traditionally, men have been expected to be self-sufficient problem-solvers. The “lone wolf” image is often glorified, portraying men who handle everything on their own as the epitome of strength.

Asking for help is seen as a weakness, pushing men further into isolation when they might really need support. This can prevent men from seeking help for mental health issues, which are just as common in men as they are in women.

3. Macho Misconceptions

Our narrow view of masculinity only allows for a limited range of emotions. It’s okay to be aggressive and competitive, but showing compassion or vulnerability? Not so much. This skewed perception not only limits men’s emotional vocabulary but can also lead to feelings of shame or confusion.

Men might experience a range of emotions but feel pressured to suppress anything that doesn’t fit the narrow definition of “manly.” This can be incredibly damaging to their emotional well-being.

4. The Cycle of Silence

The less men talk about their struggles, the more alone they feel. It’s a vicious cycle where men enforce these impossible standards on each other while also suffering under them.

Seeing other men bottle up their emotions reinforces the idea that this is the only acceptable way to behave. This silence makes it difficult for men to seek help or connect with others on a deeper level.

Breaking free from this silence requires a big cultural shift. We need to redefine strength to include the courage to be vulnerable and seek help when you need it. It’s about changing the conversation, one at a time, and creating a space where men feel comfortable opening up without fear.

True strength lies not in silence but in the courage to be honest about your feelings and connect with others. It won’t happen overnight, but acknowledging the problem is the first step. By understanding and challenging these ideas, we can build a healthier society where men are encouraged to express their full range of emotions.

This not only benefits men but strengthens the social fabric as a whole, fostering stronger connections and a more supportive environment for everyone.

Check here for more.