What is sleep quality?

Sleep quality is an essential component of overall health and well-being. It influences not only daily energy levels and cognitive performance, but also long-term physical and mental health. Various factors contribute to sleep quality, including both environmental conditions and individual differences in sleep habits. In recent years, research has increasingly recognized that genetic factors play an important role in determining sleep behavior and susceptibility to sleep disorders. Genetic predispositions can influence the tendency to have difficulty falling asleep, insomnia and other sleep-related illnesses.

As with most health parameters, environmental conditions and lifestyle play an important role in sleep quality, in addition to genetic factors. The design of the sleeping environment, including ventilation, noise levels and lighting, can significantly affect sleep. Likewise, regular sleeping habits and adequate sleep duration play an important role in improving sleep quality.

Furthermore, sleep is not just a period of rest, but also an active process that is important for the body's recovery and regeneration. Good sleep quality is crucial for maintaining cognitive function, emotional stability and general well-being.

Environmental factors

Sleep quality is significantly influenced by the sleeping environment. An appropriate environment, optimized for both light and noise levels, has been shown to improve sleep quality. Darkness promotes the production of melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating sleep-wake cycles. Light pollution, especially at night, impairs sleep quality by disrupting the natural production of melatonin. In addition to light, noise also plays a role. Constant or sudden sources of noise can interrupt sleep and negatively affect sleep architecture. The sleeping environment should therefore be quiet and dark to ensure an undisturbed night's sleep.

Good to know

We spend a third of our lives sleeping – a time when our body carries out important repair and regeneration processes that are essential for our health.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle factors also influence the quality of our sleep. Regular physical activity promotes sleep quality because movement supports the natural sleep-wake rhythm. However, it is important not to engage in physical activity too close to bedtime, as intense physical activity shortly before bed can increase the time it takes to fall asleep. Consuming caffeine and alcohol also has a direct influence on sleep quality. Caffeine, a stimulant, can increase the time it takes to fall asleep and negatively affect deep sleep, while alcohol can make it easier to fall asleep but disrupt the sleep architecture and lead to frequent nocturnal awakenings. A balanced lifestyle with regular exercise and a healthy diet therefore contributes to better sleep quality.

What does genetics have to do with it?

The SNP rs1005956 affects the SLC2A13 gene, which is responsible for a glucose transporter. Glucose is crucial for the energy supply of nerve cells, and variations in this gene can influence the availability of energy in the brain. This has a direct impact on the sleep-wake rhythm, as an impaired energy supply can affect the brain's ability to optimally regulate sleep.

The SNP rs2302729 is associated with the gene CACNA1C, which codes for calcium channels. These channels are essential for neuronal excitation and the electrical balance in nerve cells. Disruptions in calcium regulation can disrupt neuronal communication and thus the sleep architecture. These disorders often manifest themselves in sleep problems such as insomnia or reduced sleep quality.

The SNP rs9836672 affects the FGF12 gene, which is involved in the regulation of synaptic function. FGF12 plays a role in maintaining neuronal connectivity and signaling. Changes in this gene can lead to an impairment of sleep architecture by affecting the efficiency of neuronal communication during sleep.

The SNP rs2210430 is associated with the gene TUSC1, which is involved in the cellular response to stress. Stress can significantly impair sleep quality by disrupting sleep-wake cycles and increasing the time it takes to fall asleep. Variations in TUSC1 may affect the body's ability to cope with stress, which in turn can negatively impact sleep quality.