This may come as a shock to anyone who has a cigarette to unwind before bed, but smoking may actually be the cause of your sleepless nights.
This is because nicotine is a stimulant. If consumed in high quantities or close to bedtime, nicotine disrupts the ability to fall asleep naturally and leaves smokers feeling restless and agitated. It is estimated that the average smoker loses 1.2 minutes of sleep for every cigarette they smoke, due to the stimulating effects of nicotine.
Studies show that smoking can wreak havoc on the body’s natural sleep routine, causing restlessness and insomnia. It also increases the chances of suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea. Smokers are more likely to experience the collapse of muscles at the back of the throat as they try to sleep as smoke irritates the tissues in the nose and throat, cause them to become inflamed and swollen which restricts air flow and makes it harder to breathe.
Further studies have found that smokers are 22% more likely to experience restless sleep and repeated bouts of waking during the night. By comparison, non-smokers were far more likely to enjoy a full night of uninterrupted, restorative sleep.
It has also been discovered that smokers are more likely to suffer with insomnia. Due to the stimulating nature of nicotine, when it comes to bedtime, smokers will struggle far more than their non-smoking counterparts. Women in mid-life who smoke are also much more susceptible to developing insomnia.
Non-smokers have been found to experience the soundest, most restful sleep. Quitting is the only way to prevent smoking from affecting your sleep and health.
If you would like to find out more about how a REM-Fit Mattress, REM-Fit Sleep Monitoring technology or Zeeq Smart Pillows can help you to get a better night’s rest, please get in touch with our experienced, knowledgeable staff by calling 020 8731 0020 or email us via sales@rem-fit.co.uk.
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