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Studies show that the average adult gets only five hours of sleep each night—three hours below the minimum recommended amount.
When we sleep, our bodies rest and prepare for the next day. However, many of us are not getting an adequate
number of sleep
hours. With a decreased amount of sleep we increase our risk of fatigue, mood swings,
and even disease. Doctors who study
sleep science have confirmed that poor sleeping habits can lead to cancer, heart disease, and diabetes
(which can lead to highly increased risk of
life-threatening
sleep apnea). Knowing all of this leaves us no other option but to improve our nighttime habits. In this article I will provide several steps towards falling asleep and getting
better sleep.
1. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Even one late night can throw your schedule out of balance. So be sure to stick to your routine
in order to avoid falling into sleeplessness
and
sleep disorders.
2. Avoid all caffeinated drinks (including soda) and tobacco prior to bedtime.
3. Avoid alcohol. Sure, your initial feeling after having a drink may be that of sleepiness, but you will not experience a good night's rest. Alcohol causes us to wake up many times throughout the night.
4. Avoid taking naps in front of the TV. This makes it difficult to fall asleep without the TV.
5. Exercise daily just not right before bedtime. Exercise gets our adrenaline going so it's not wise to workout prior to trying to fall asleep,
or you'll certainly have
trouble
sleeping.
6. Be sure that you don't have the option of checking the time while in bed.
7. Keep your room at a cool temperature (studies show its best for falling asleep and staying asleep).
These are some of the best tips for improving one's sleeping patterns. There are other herbal remedies and sleep aids available for those who can't seem to achieve their sleep goals alone. Healthy sleep equals
healthy mood, healthy
weight loss, and overall wellness. |
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