Sleep is a major part of our lives. What we do know is that sleep has many health benefits and getting a good night’s sleep is the key to feeling energized every day. Understanding sleep can help you improve your health and may even extend your life.
Good sleep strategies are essential to deep, restorative sleep you can count on, night after night. By learning to avoid common enemies of sleep and trying out a variety of healthy sleep-promoting techniques, you can discover your personal prescription to a good night’s rest.
Each individual’s sleep need varies. For the majority of adults, the daily sleep need is between 7 and 9 hours. Some people need even more than 9 hours and others need less than 7, but this is rare. If you are awake and alert during the day and feel satisfied with your sleep, then you are getting enough sleep.
· Sleeping
Place. Is your sleeping space comfortable? Look at light, noise and
temperature. How about your bed? Is it too firm or too soft?
· Be
smart about napping. While taking a nap can be a great way to recharge,
especially for older adults, it can make insomnia worse. If insomnia is a
problem for you, consider eliminating napping. If you must nap, do it in the
early afternoon, and limit it to thirty minutes.
· Develop
a sleep routine. Going to bed at the same time; rituals such as having a cup of
relaxing tea and then washing up, and the like.
· Try
relaxing. Mediate, take a bath, listen to soft music, read a gentle book, get a
massage. If worries are keeping you awake, try journalism – it may provide a
way for you to “release” the worry onto paper and thus relax and sleep.
· Eat
a balanced diet. We all know that our eating habits are closely related to our
health. So it won’t come as a surprise that maintaining a balanced diet and a
healthy weight will have a positive impact on your sleep.
