Ensure that you’re getting good quality sleep this new year.
If you’re not getting enough sleep, you’re not alone! More than half of the nation suffer from lack of sleep or sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. The average American only gets 6.8 hours of sleep a night, even though 8 hours is the optimum time. Even though you may be burning the midnight oil, sleeping for less than seven hours can affect your physical and mental health.
Lack of sleep can affect the body negatively. Sleep loss and sleep disorders represent an under-recognized public health problem and have been associated with a wide range of health consequences including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attacks and strokes.
Use these natural tips to get better sleep – starting tonight
- Avoid stimulants: Avoid coffee, tea, chocolate, and soda four to six hours before bedtime as these can stimulate your mind, making it harder for you to fall asleep.
- Turn your bedroom into a sleep haven: A dark, cool environment can promote sound slumber. Block out background noise with a sound machine and avoid eating, working, or watching TV in your bedroom. This will strengthen the mental association between your bedroom and sleep.
- Establish a pre-sleep routine: Ease the transition from wake time to sleep time with relaxing activities an hour or so before bed. Do whatever relaxes you, whether it’s taking a bath, reading a book, or practicing relaxation exercises to calm down.
- Lighten up your evening meals: Eating spaghetti Bolognese at 11 p.m. may be a recipe for insomnia. Finish dinner several hours before bedtime to avoid indigestion and disturbed sleep.
- Power down to recharge: Turn off your TV, phone, and tablets at least an hour before going to sleep. The light from the screen is recognized by your brain as a wake-up signal.
With these tips, you can finally get the rest that your body craves! When you need urgent medical attention, choose an urgent care with reliable walk-in treatment. At Sand Canyon Urgent Care, we can help you quickly so that you can get back to your festivities. Visit us in Irvine and Stanton.
