Sleep as a pillar of health from an integrative perspective

Sleep is one of the fundamental pillars of a healthy and balanced life. During nocturnal rest, the body activates essential processes of recovery, cellular repair, and functional reorganisation. At the same time, mental activity slows down and emotions tend to stabilise. Despite its importance, sleep is often undervalued in the context of the rhythm…

Do you sleep badly? How the biological clock and circadian rhythm influence sleep

The human body works according to an internal clock known as the circadian rhythm. This system plays a part in organising multiple biological functions, such as sleep, appetite, body temperature, hormone production, energy levels and mood. This rhythm is naturally synchronised with the cycle of light and darkness, i.e. with...

Melatonin, sunlight and sleep regulation: understanding the relationship

Melatonin is a central hormone in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle and plays an important role in the overall physiological balance. It is associated with the organisation of the circadian rhythm, the quality of sleep and various adaptive processes in the body. Although it is commonly known as the “sleep hormone”, its regulation depends to a large extent on...

The impact of blue light from electronic devices on sleep

The use of electronic devices is part of most people's daily lives. Computers, smartphones and tablets are often used until very close to bedtime, which raises clinically relevant questions about the impact of the blue light emitted by these screens on sleep organisation. Understanding these effects is essential to...

Sleep and cellular repair of the immune system

In an increasingly fast-paced lifestyle, sleep is often undervalued, despite its central role in regulating the immune system. The relationship between sleep, cell repair and immune response is now well documented and is recognised as one of the most important elements in maintaining health over time. The importance of...

Cortisol, melatonin and circadian rhythm: understanding sleep regulation

The circadian cycle is an approximately 24-hour biological regulation system responsible for organising multiple physiological processes, including sleep, wakefulness, metabolism and the response to stress. Among its main modulators are cortisol and melatonin, two hormones with complementary functions in the body's adaptation to different...

Is there such a thing as the best sleeping position? How to adapt your posture to your body

Many patients have doubts about the best sleeping posture or report discomfort associated with the mattress or pillow. Although these factors influence comfort during the night, it is important to understand that the most suitable sleeping position is one that respects the body's individual physiology and favours the alignment of structures, which can contribute to...

Biorhythms: following the biological clock

Living beings have internal time regulation mechanisms that organise multiple physiological functions. These systems are largely synchronised with the natural rhythms of planet Earth, such as the alternation between day and night and the succession of the seasons. The study of these mechanisms, known as chronobiology, has become increasingly important...

4 Pillars of Health: relax, nourish, move and sleep

We may have busy routines, professional goals achieved and an apparently organised life, but if we wake up feeling tired, irritable or lacking energy, something in the overall balance may not be right. Health is not a one-off state, but an ongoing process that requires daily attention to different dimensions of human functioning. In clinical practice, some...