Most of us, with possibly the exception of teenagers, know about the importance of sleep. When you have a restful night, you wake feeling more energetic and ready to seize the day (Carpe Diem, baby!). Unfortunately, about a third of Americans (and Californians, specifically) report getting less than the recommended amount of sleep. So, what exactly is the recommended amount of sleep for optimal health?
7 or more hours!
Of course, there are a few special human beings out there that don’t need 7 or more hours. However, for the rest of us, not getting enough quality sleep has consequences. Lack of sleep has been associated with increased risk of many chronic conditions including, but not limited to:
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Obesity
- Depression
There are a few tips to getting more ZZZs in your day such as keeping a regular sleep schedule, keeping your room and bed cool (don’t pile on the blankets!), avoiding blue light before bed and sometimes having a light snack before bed if you suffer from low blood sugar. It is also wise to be screened for sleep apnea if you snore or still wake unrefreshed after having a good night’s sleep. Of course, there are many other reasons that could be contributing to poor sleep quality so I recommend that you speak with your doctor if you have difficulty staying or falling asleep.
Happy Sleeping!