Why Do You Need Earplugs for Sleeping? These Facts Will Change Your Perspective
People use earplugs to protect their ears against loud noises. They can be used while driving, riding a bike, playing sports, and doing gym. Of course, since no one wants to get hearing damage (which is permanent), earplugs keep your ears and their health in check. However, many people use earplugs for sleeping too.
Earplugs can create a big difference in the world of light sleepers. If you live in a noisy area, earplugs can help you cut out the loud noises and have a calm night of peaceful sleep. In fact, some people find it extremely difficult to sleep withoutearplugs.
That said, a lot of people are on the fence about it. Some don't like the idea of having their ears plugged while they are sleeping. But that is only because they don't know what they are risking.
In this article, we are going to present you with facts that will change your perspective on earplugs for sleeping.
Fact 1: Earplugs can block loud noises
This is pretty self-explanatory. The basic function of earplugs is blocking out noises that disturb you or cause annoyance and frustration – which you don't need when you are trying to sleep.
If you live with people who snore too loud or have a place around a freeway or an overnight workplace that keeps causing disruption in your sleep, earplugs are the best option to get rid of that problem.
Check out the next fact to know why it is critical to get rid of this problem.
Fact 2: Earplugs ensure quality sleep, which is essential
Quality sleep is extremely critical for your health. The quality of your sleep matters as much as the amount of sleep you are getting. Sudden loud sounds and constant noise around the place you sleep can wake you up out of deep sleep. And if you are a light sleeper, it's worse.
This "waking up in the middle of sleep" has lasting effects, even if you wake up just for a minute. Take it like this: Your body has been "unplugged" during its "reboot" time, and it will take its time going back to that stage. Once your sleep has been disturbed, it wouldn't immediately go back to the same phase. If this happens to you, it means you are getting poor sleep.
And that is something you need to avoid at all costs. You may not instantly realise it, but poor sleep can create multiple problems for you down the line.
A report in 2006 stated that low-quality sleep over a prolonged period can increase the risk of several conditions, including high blood pressure, heart attack, strokes, diabetes, obesity, and depression.
Another report on sleep and immune function stated that poor sleep is directly linked to reduced immune function and inflammation, both of which impact your health in a negative way.
Given how poor sleep can be dangerous for your health, it is essential that you make sure to get quality sleep every night. And you can do that with the help of earplugs.
Fact 3: Earplugs are proven healthy by research
Earplugs are proven by researchers to be healthy and safe, and a perfect way to help you sleep better.
Research in 2014 carried out results that earplugs helped people have improved sleep quality. In some cases, the use of eye masks and earplugs while sleeping caused an increase in rapid eye movement. Rapid eye movement, REM for short, is the deepest and healthiest form of sleeping.
If you are a healthy sleeper, REM would occur after around 90 minutes of sleep. REM would cause your eyes to move rapidly behind the eyelids, which means your brain is in nearly the same amount of activity as when you are fully awake. Your blood pressure and heart rate at this point are also near levels of waking. REM is when you are dreaming the most, your arm and leg muscles are temporarily paralyzed, preventing you from acting out physically during your sleep, which is a good sign of quality sleep.
Fact 4: Earplugs increase melatonin levels
Melatonin is a hormone that your brain releases into your body as a response to darkness. It helps you sleep and keeps your sleeping-waking cycle controlled. If you are exposed to bright light or loud noises during the nighttime, the melatonin production in your body will be blocked.
Earplugs may also increase the levels of melatonin in your body. Having earplugs in before going to bed will help you fall asleep early and make your body relaxed, which is a perfect start for quality sleep.
Fact 5: Earplugs are much safer than other options
Many people take prescription sleeping pills, over-the-counter sleep inducers, and synthetic melatonin pills to help them fall asleep. But these methods of sleep induction are outweighed by the potential harm they come with.
Most OTC and prescription sleeping pills have a wide range of side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, and fatigue. Even melatonin as a supplement diet, when studied, resulted in a very weak recommendation, doing nearly as much harm as it does good.
On the other hand, earplugs have almost no side effects. They are safe, healthy, and a perfect recipe for calm sleep.
Fact 6: Earplugs are much more affordable than other methods
Earplugs are much more affordable and cost-effective than other sleep-inducing methods, such as sleeping pills. It is a one-time investment. Over time, sleeping pills and other supplements add up to much more costly than you initially planned.
Moreover, sleeping pills are made-for-all and every person's body responds to them differently. On the other hand, earplugs can be custom-made for your ears.
2 of 5 Australians struggle with sleep, that is around 40% of Australians. If you are one of them, don't take your sleeping problem lightly. It can cause more problems. Choose earplugs, a safer, healthier, and affordable option to get quality sleep.
