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| Sleep Your Way to Better Health |
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Did you know that people spend one-third of their lives sleeping? Well, at least that's the goal. Unfortunately, many people don't get nearly the amount of sleep they need to function at an optimal level. Sleep is critical to your health, and a lack of it can cause irritability or poor performance on the job, and ultimately affect your resistance to illness and your overall health. To refresh your mind and recharge your body, follow our guide to sleeping your way to better health.
To Get a Good Night's Sleep:
Set a sleep schedule and stick to it as much as possible.
Ideally, you should go to bed and get up at about the same time every day. Why? Because our bodies appreciate routine. If you get dramatically different amounts of sleep from night to night, your body will be confused. If you find that you need seven hours of sleep a night to feel good the next day, get into the habit of sleeping for seven hours.
Exercise ... every little bit helps.
Physical activity — whether it's a brisk walk, lifting weights or jogging around the park after work — might help you sleep more soundly. That's because light to moderate exercise can burn off excess energy so that when your head hits the pillow, you're actually tired enough to enjoy a good night's sleep.
Sleep in a cool room.
Medical researchers report that a cool room is conducive to sleep because it mimics your internal temperature drop during sleep. An overly warm or stuffy room can make it more difficult to fall asleep.
Slow down.
If possible, take an hour before bedtime to just slow down. Whether it's reading a book or soaking in the tub, find something quiet to do to get you in the mood to sleep.
Sleep in quiet.
Not only is silence golden, but it's also far more conducive to sleep than the background noise of a radio or TV. If sounds from the street keep you up at night, try earplugs.
Avoid caffeine and nicotine.
Caffeine has a way of sticking around longer than we anticipate. That's why it's best not to drink coffee or soda for at least five hours before bedtime. Also, nicotine should be avoided, as it's also a stimulant.
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