The Importance of Sleep
Do you feel tired or fatigued throughout the day?
Are you often irritable?
Do you have trouble focusing?
If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you may not be getting enough sleep. In today’s fast paced society, often times we put getting the proper amount of sleep on the back burner. Between our jobs, kids, exercising, and all of life’s other demands, sometimes getting enough quality sleep can be difficult. But getting the right amount of sleep each day is really important. Not just for overall health, but to improve your ability to function while performing all of life’s daily tasks.
Benefits of Quality Sleep
- Heal and improve immune function
- Improve heart health
- Reduce stress
- Improve memory
- Control weight and reduce chance of diabetes
- Improve focus and mood throughout the day
- Increase energy
How much sleep should I get?
- Teenagers (14-17): 8-10 hours
- Young Adults (18-25): 7-9 hours
- Adults (26-64): 7-9hours
- Older Adults (65+): 7-8hours
How do I get more quality sleep?
There are many contributing factors to not sleeping long enough and more importantly, not receiving quality sleep. However, there are some tips that can help:
- Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine – especially before bed!
- Avoid watching TV or using electronic devices in the bedroom
- Limit the amount of light where you sleep
- Exercise daily and eat healthy
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule
- Limit how much you eat and drink before bed and in the middle of the night
- Keep your stress under control
Sleep is very important to maintaining good health and quality of life. It helps your body function when you are awake and helps you recover while you sleep. If you have more questions or concerns about your quality of sleep, speak to your doctor about other options that may help your individual needs.
Check out this additional resource: 6 Sleep Tips to Relieve Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain
