Conventional wisdom tells us a good night’s sleep is key to feeling refreshed, alert and ready to take on the day. Experts say sleep is essential to our health and longevity.
In April, a week is dedicated to Sleep Awareness, and the National Sleep Foundation is encouraging the public to make healthy sleep habits – duration and quality – a central part of their lifestyle.
Healthy Sleep Tips
Regardless of what your sleep habits have been in the past, there are steps you can take today to begin a new path toward healthier sleep.
NSF suggests:
- Sticking to a sleep schedule, even on weekends
- Practicing a relaxing bedtime ritual
- Exercising daily
- Evaluating your bedroom to ensure ideal temperature, sound, and light
- Sleeping on a comfortable mattress and pillows
- Avoiding hidden sleep stealers, like alcohol and caffeine
- Turning off electronics before bed
It’s also important to make getting adequate sleep a priority. Sleep needs vary from person to person, based on a number of factors. But, in general, most people need 6-8 hours of sleep per night, said Dr. Scott Spencer, Medical Director of St. Joseph Health Sleep Center.
Sleep Quality and Restfulness
In a recent NSF study, four of 10 Americans polled about their sleeping habits reported poor or insufficient sleep significantly affected their daily activities. Sleep debt, what we experience when we are not getting adequate sleep, can impact our mood, energy, and health.
An estimated 40 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders. Sleep disorders can keep you awake, but they can also keep you from resting well when you sleep.
“Signs of a sleep disorder can include heavy snoring, pauses in breathing, excessive kicking or flailing, sleep-walking or acting out behaviors during sleep,” Dr. Spencer said.
About St. Joseph Health Sleep Center
The St. Joseph Health Sleep Center, an American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)-accredited facility, is dedicated to helping patients sleep better at night. Its multidisciplinary, specialist team coordinates comprehensive patient sleep studies to diagnose and treat sleep disorders.
The center offers private bedroom-like sleep study areas complete with televisions, internet access, private bathrooms and quality, queen-sized beds to create a home-like environment for patient sleep studies. For selected patients, the Sleep Center also offers an option for patients to complete their sleep studies in the comfort and convenience of their homes.
If you think you may have a sleep disorder, request information from the St. Joseph Health Sleep Center to find the solutions and treatment that’s right for you.
Sources:
National Sleep Foundation – How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?
