Sleep is an important part of our life – we actually spend about one-third of our life asleep. Without sleep you can’t form or maintain the pathways in your brain that let you learn and create new memories, and it’s harder to concentrate and respond quickly.1
The cumulative effects of sleep deprivation are broad yet potentially serious. Too little sleep leaves us drowsy and unable to concentrate. The consequences can range from diminished job performance to driver fatigue, which accounts for an estimated 100,000 motor vehicle accidents annually.1
GW hospital provides a helpful sleep FAQ on their website to help answer our most common questions about sleep and sleep disorders. The following tips may provide inspiration to jumpstart a new approach to rest:
- Going to bed at a set time each night and get up at the same time each morning. This helps establish a steady sleep cycle.
- Exercising 20 to 30 minutes a day. For maximum benefit, workout about 5 to 6 hours before going to bed.
- Avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. Smokers tend to wake earlier due to nicotine withdrawal and alcohol diminishes deep sleep (REM).
- Relaxing before bed. A warm bath, reading or another relaxing routine can make it easier to fall asleep.
- Reading, watching television or listening to music if you can’t sleep. The anxiety of lying in bed and not being able to fall asleep can actually contribute to insomnia.
1Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at NIH, February 8, 2019. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Understanding-Sleep#4
