Sleep, like the food we eat and the air we breathe, is vital to our well-being. When our body is not well rested, it gets flustered and uncoordinated. Our health deteriorates too as our bodily functions start shutting down.
But as we speak continuously on how we should be getting sufficient sleep, exactly how much sleep is truly enough?
How much is good enough?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, there is no exact amount of sleep for everyone across the board. Apparently, there are some questions you need to ask yourself to know how much sleep YOU need, and this number is going to differ from person to person.
For easier reference, here are the questions to ask yourself:
• Are you productive, healthy and happy on seven hours of sleep? Or does it take you nine hours of quality sleep to get you into high gear?
• Do you have health issues such as being overweight? Are you at risk for any disease?
• Are you experiencing sleep problems?
• Do you depend on caffeine to get you through the day?
• Do you feel sleepy when driving?
Sleep scheduling
As much as a proper diet and regular exercise is good for us, our bodies also require down time to repair and restore itself to enable it to perform at its peak when needed. It may sound like a joke but experts are saying that we need to schedule sleep like any other daily activity, even on the weekends. This allows our bodies to form a regularity that will do us an immense amount of good in the long run. If you find yourself, or a family member, having trouble sleeping at night, it’s best to consult a doctor or find a sleep professional to determine the underlying cause.
Health problems from lack of sleep
If you need further convincing, it is good to know too that a lack of sleep over a prolonged period of time can cause serious health complications and even death. While most of us probably won’t end up dying from sleeping less, it must be understood that like a pair of track shoes that have been worn too often and too frequently, our bodies are also subject to wear and tear. Physically, the symptoms will show too through dark eye circles, heavy eyebags, duller complexion and even foul breath.
So make your bedroom as cosy as you can and snuggle up tonight for a good rest. You can thank us in the morning.
