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What you need to know about Sleep

Without adequate sleep, mental and physical health can suffer.

There are more than 100 million Americans of all ages who are not getting adequate sleep. Inadequate sleep can have untoward consequences on school and work performance, interpersonal relationships, health and safety.

Experts generally recommend that adults sleep at least 7 ½ to 8 hours per night, although some people require more and some less.

The 2005 National Sleep Foundation Sleep in America poll found that adults (age 18-54) sleep an average of 6.8 hours per night on weekdays and 7.4 hours on weekends. The poll showed a downward trend in sleep time over the past several years. People sleeping less often use the internet at night or bring work home from the office. Sleep loss can lead to daytime sleepiness that adversely affects performance.

The National Sleep Foundation also reported that older adults (age 55-84) average 7 hours of sleep on weekdays and 7.1 hours on weekends. Sleep is most often disturbed by the need to use the bathroom and physical pain or discomfort in older adults.

A downward trend in sleep time has also been observed in children. Optimal sleep time varies by age. The 2004 Sleep in America poll found a discrepancy between recommended and actual sleep time in children with actual sleep time 1.5 to 2 hours less than recommended. Caffeine consumption causes a loss of 3 to 5 hours of sleep and having a television in the bedroom contributed to a loss of 2 hours of sleep each week in children.

Not getting the proper amount or quality of sleep leads to more than just feeling tired. Sleepiness interferes with cognitive function, which can lead to learning disabilities in children, memory impairment in people of all ages, personality changes and depression.

People suffering from sleep deprivation, experience difficulty making decisions, irritability, problems with performance and slower reaction times, placing them at risk for automobile and work-related accidents. Sleep loss can also adversely affect life by contributing to the development of obesity, diabetes and heart disease

If you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep or if you feel sleepy or unrefreshed despite a seemingly adequate night of sleep, you may have a sleep disorder. There are over 80 disorders of sleep and wakefulness.

Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

Create an optimal sleep environment by making sure that your bedroom is comfortable, cool, quiet and dark. If noise seeps you awake, try using background sounds like “white noise” or earplugs. If light interferes with your sleep, try a sleep masks or blackout curtains.

Think positive. Avoid going to bed with a negative mind set, such as “If I don’t get enough sleep tonight, how will I ever get through the day tomorrow?”

Avoid using your bed for anything other than sleep and intimate relations. Do not watch television, eat, work or use computers in your bedroom.

Try to clear your mind before bed time by writing things down or making a to-do list earlier in the evening. This is helpful if you tend to worry and think too much in bed at night.

Establish a regular bedtime and a relaxing routine each night by taking a warm bath, listening to soothing music or reading. Try relaxation exercises, meditation, biofeedback or hypnosis. Wake up at the same time each morning, including days off and vacations.

Stop clock watching. Turn the clock around and use only the alarm for waking up. Leave your bedroom if you cannot fall asleep in 20 minutes. Read or engage in a relaxing activity in another room.

Avoid naps. If you are extremely sleepy, take a nap. But limit naps to less than one-hour—no later than 3 pm.

Avoid stimulants (coffee, teas, cola, cocoa and chocolate) and heavy meals for at least 4 hours before bedtime. Limit caffeinated beverages to two per day and avoid them entirely if you have trouble sleeping at night. You may find that light carbohydrate snacks such as milk, yogurt or crackers help you fall asleep easier.

Avoid alcohol and tobacco for at least 4 hours before bedtime and during the night. You may find that you will fall asleep faster and awaken less often.

Exercise regularly, but not within 4 hours of bedtime if you have trouble sleeping.