Sleep is as important to our health as good diet and exercise. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night, and many people do not get enough. Quality sleep allows our brains and bodies to rebuild and repair. Lack of good sleep raises the risk of heart disease, obesity, stroke, and dementia.
Healthy sleep is not only the amount of time spent in bed, but also getting quality, uninterrupted rest on a consistent sleep schedule. Use these tips to give your body and brain the restful recharge it needs for optimum health:
- Be physically active during the day.
- Create a good sleep environment that is quiet, dark, and cool.
- Go to bed and get up at a consistent time, even during weekends.
- Remove electronic devices from the bedroom.
- Avoid stimulants such as nicotine and caffeine.
- Limit alcohol and large meals close to bedtime.
- Talk to your health care provider if you have persistent sleeping issues.
For more information about sleep and sleeping disorders, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/sleep.
Sources:
CDC, cdc.gov
National Institutes of Health, newsinhealth.nih.gov