It's daytime, but I suddenly feel sleepy... A sign that something is changing in my body.

If you suddenly feel heavy all over your body and your eyes close on their own during the day,

This could be a sign that your period is about to begin. You may feel particularly tired during the day from four days before until two days after your period.

 

Around the time menstruation begins, hormonal changes make it difficult for our bodies to fall asleep at night.

According to research by Dr. Satoru Tsubota, a Japanese sleep medicine expert,

80% of Japanese women have experienced premenstrual syndrome, 41% of whom have experienced it before and after the start of menstruation.

It was found that 23% of all women suffer from sleep disorders. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) in the United States,

Before menstruation, 30% reported that they experienced daytime sleepiness due to sleep disturbance during their period.

About 10% suffered from sleep disturbances severe enough to interfere with their daily lives.

During this period, the level of a hormone called progesterone increases.

This hormone raises the body temperature and suppresses body temperature changes.

However, to get a good night's sleep, your body temperature needs to drop slightly.

Dr. Tsubota said, "If the change in body temperature is reduced, there is no significant difference in the physical condition when awake and when asleep.

“I can’t sleep well at night and I feel sleepy during the day.”

"Progesterone helps to calm the nerves and reduce brain excitement.

"It helps secrete the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid, creating conditions conducive to daytime sleepiness."

Progesterone breaks down and produces a relaxing drug called allopregnanolone.

It is also used as an anesthetic by producing metabolites.

 

Other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, such as muscle aches, depression, abdominal bloating, and breast tenderness, can also interfere with sleep at night.

 

If you find yourself feeling too sleepy during the day, taking a walk in the sunlight can improve your circadian rhythm. .

 

If you can't go for a walk, drinking herbal tea containing lemongrass or chewing gum or nuts may help.

 

Lemongrass contains aromatic ingredients called citral and linalool.

These ingredients help you wake up.

Also, when you chew gum, nuts, etc., the prefrontal cortex of the brain is activated.

It reduces drowsiness and improves concentration and work efficiency.

 

In a study published in the British Journal of Psychology, a group that chewed gum or other substances while performing a task experienced increased brain function.

It has been shown to reduce drowsiness.

If you are stressed or not eating a balanced diet

Try to be as stress-free as possible, as this will further disrupt your sleep patterns.

You should take care to eat healthy foods regularly.

 

 

Reporter Lee Seul-bi