Are You Getting Enough Sleep?

We do need a good night's sleep, but according to a 2009 Sleep Foundation poll, 20 percent of American adults get less than 6 hours of sleep a night.  That's simply not enough sleep for anyone.  Adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night, while children actually need between 10 and 13 hours of sleep. 

The impact of sleep deprivation includes, reduced mental clarity, lack of energy, irritability and depression.  Sleep deprivation can also impact our waking health habits as well.  People who don't get enough sleep are less likely to exercise and almost twice as likely to eat unhealthy, high-sugar foods and use tobacco products.  Even more frightening, 54% of those surveyed admit to driving drowsy.

While it may feel like a waste of time to devote seven to nine hours to sleeping each night, the body needs that time to rebuild.  While we're sleeping, the body is hard at work.  Many hormones, such as growth hormones important to children and adults for muscle building and tissue repair - regulating appetite and metabalism are secreted during sleep.  Recent studies indicate links between lack of sleep and serious health issues,  including cancer, heart problems and obesity.

Getting enough sleep isn't simply about looking well-rested.  It's about feeling better and living a happier, healthier life. 

What can help us get a better nights sleep? 
1.  Keep your bedroom free of phones, t.v., fax machines and other electronics.
2.  Keep your room dark, even the smallest little bit of light will start increasing your melatonin levels.  Don’t use a night-light and don’t turn on the bath-room light if you have to get up in the middle of the night (or use a very weak light if it’s too dark). 
3.  Remove clutter, this only distracts you
4.  Think about the color of your room, is it a relaxing, soothing color. You need a color that is peaceful and sets a serene mood.
5.  Keep your bedroom cool.  As you might have now guessed, a lower room temperature means a lower body temperature for you, which, of course, means you’ll fall asleep faster and more soundly.  Of course, you shouldn’t go to extremes either: If the room is too cold, you won’t be able to fall asleep at all, because your body will be busy trying to warm you up!
6.  Since you’re going to spend a third of your life in it, invest in a high-quality bed.  Bedding that provides you comfort.

Tomorrow we will talk about what type of bedding can create a comfy, relaxing atmosphere for you and help you to fall asleep sooner.