Sleep is one of the most important biological functions of our body along with eating, drinking and breathing. This state helps the body heal and recover from the various stresses that we put on it throughout the day. It’s recommended that everyone gets at least 8 hours of sleep, although not everyone requires the same amount of sleep to feel refreshed. This is mostly due to the individual’s genetic disposition. However, as we grow old and accrue various lifestyle changes, they often come at the expense of quality sleep. When we’re young, the feeling of invulnerability can lead us to disregard the importance of a good night’s rest. With age these habits catch up and can wreak havoc on one’s health and insomnia can also be triggered as a result. Here are 5 such Lifestyle Habits that are hampering the quality of your sleep. OverworkingWhen the pandemic struck, a significant portion of the population was excited to embrace the concept of working from home. But as time has worn on, the already permeable professional boundaries have become further blurred. No meeting is too early or too late for anyone as everyone is expected to be at home, and thus be at their work’s disposal. Quality sleep being one of the biggest victims of this toxic hustle culture. © iStockLack Of Physical ActivityA distinct lack of physical activity harms the quality of sleep experienced. The recommended level of physical exertion varies depending on your age. However, having some time to work up a sweat during the day helps improve the quality of your sleep. Do note that working out right before bed might be counterproductive as the stimulation received disrupts immediate sleep. © iStockScreentimeSorry to break it to you, but your screen time is greatly hampering your sleep. The blue light emitted by our screens affects the melatonin production in our brains. Being on the phone during bed keeps our brain active and stimulated, keeping quality sleep at bay. © iStockPoor DietWhat we eat and when we eat also affects our sleep. Foods rich in sugars and caffeine keeps us up for longer as they provide the body with the kick to keep moving. Having a diet without adequate fibre also affects the quality of our sleep. It is also advised not to eat heavy before bed time. A poor night’s rest can also influence the quality of decision making the next day, making one more susceptible to poor dietary choices. © iStockMental StressorsChances are if you suffer from depression, anxiety or other mental ailments, your brain is working overtime in order to facilitate these thoughts. Over time these thoughts swarm and eat into the quality of your sleep. By keeping you up at odd hours, your body isn’t able to rest properly to heal and nourish itself. Which is why it is essential to talk to a professional about your mental health stressors. Consistently high levels of stress in the brain can cause dire consequences in the future. © iStockBy limiting the impact of these active stressors in your day to day life, you can ensure a better quality of sleep, and thus a better quality of life for yourself. Make your sleep a priority.