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Healthy, defined — everyday wellbeing words in plain English
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Rest & recovery

Sleep, the body clock and the signals that show how well you are recovering from the demands of the day.

Bedside table in the evening with a lit lamp, a book, a glass of water and a phone face down
  • CaffeinenounA natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, cocoa, cola and energy drinks. It works by blocking adenosine, a substance that builds up and makes us feel sleepy.
  • Circadian rhythmnoun phraseThe roughly 24-hour internal cycle that shapes sleepiness, alertness, body temperature, hormone release and digestion. Light is its strongest timing signal.
  • Resting heart ratenoun phraseThe number of times the heart beats per minute while you are fully at rest, best measured in the morning before getting up. For most adults it lies between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
  • Sleep hygienenoun phraseThe everyday habits and surroundings that make good sleep more likely: regular sleep and wake times, a dark and cool bedroom, care with caffeine and alcohol, and a calm wind-down.