Simple Sleep Solutions

Posted on June 25, 2012

Did you have trouble sleeping last night? If you said “yes,” you’re not alone.  The National Sleep Foundation’s most recent poll shows only four in ten respondents reported getting a good night’s sleep.

Lack of sleep can lead to high blood pressure, depression, and increased risk of heart disease and stroke as well as other health problems.

Here are some steps you can take to get better sleep:

• Avoid alcohol and caffeine. You may feel sleepy using alcohol, but it will reduce your quality of sleep. Switch to decaffeinated coffee to reduce caffeine intake.
• Exercise at least 30 minutes per day. Exercise promotes a deeper sleep. Make sure you don’t exercise too close to bedtime.
• Develop a regular sleep schedule. You should go to bed at the same time every night.
• Wake up at the same time every day. Try to maintain this pattern, even on weekends.
• Adjust the temperature in your bedroom to a cooler setting. It’s easier to sleep in a cooler room.
• Be careful about what you eat and drink before bedtime. Avoid heavy meals too close to bedtime.
• Stop using computer devices or watching television close to bedtime. Studies show the use of electronics before bedtime may disrupt sleep.

A good night’s sleep will make you more alert, increase your endurance, and enhance your life. You will feel energized and ready to meet the challenges of daily life.

Categories: Summer 2012