In the first quarter of a new year, many folks desire to start anew and begin a transformative journey that focuses on diet, nutrition, and exercise. Suddenly, the gym feels a bit more crowded and Instagram accounts are filled with photos of healthy green plates. At the start of this new decade, people are paying more attention to the condition of their mental health and are motivated to be mindful of their emotional, psychological and spiritual wellbeing. While exercise and healthy eating are cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle, the importance of sleep as a form of maintaining your health is often overlooked.
Sleep by the Numbers
There’s nothing better than getting a good night’s sleep! You wake up with a clear head, feeling a renewed sense of energy that propels you to get-up-and-go. No fuzzy brain to cloud decisions or the need for a heaping dose of caffeine to function. You can look in the mirror with delight at the absence of dark circles under your eyes and you can happily greet the morning with a smile knowing that you are taking care of yourself. Right? The truth is… many people take the importance of sleep for granted. It seems easy to forego a night or two of ZZZ’s to socialize, study or even binge-watch your favorite flick. Here are a few research-based sleep stats collected from various sources including an article published January 2020 by www.sleepadvisor.org:
- Adults should average 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
- During a lifetime, 8 hours average sleep time would mean you sleep 1/3 of your life
- World Sleep Day is March 13th
- Falling asleep takes on average 10-15 minutes
- We dream 4-6 times per night but forget 95-99% of our dreams the next morning
- Sleeping 60-90 minutes more night can make you happier and healthier
Health Professionals Advocate for Good Sleeping Habits
More and more health professionals are bringing awareness to the importance of sleep. By highlighting the negative effects of sleep deprivation they are sharing the benefits of productive slumber. Sleep deprivation can affect mood, memory, metabolism, and heart health. The body’s immune system can also be compromised by lack of sleep leaving people susceptible to illness. Sleep can, also, be a vital indicator of our overall health as prolonged lack of sleep for a period of time can, also, be a signal to schedule a physical to make sure there are no additional ailments.
Sleep is the time for the body to naturally rejuvenate, refresh, and process food, exercise and emotional input. Without getting enough sleep-time to de-stress and slow down, the mind and body become sluggish and well, tired. Getting a good night sleep is good for you and as essential as good nutrition and healthy exercise. So don’t feel guilty about making sleep a priority and getting in a few extra hours. In fact, make a new resolution to nap, doze and snooze for your health!
This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or replace the advice of a healthcare professional. It is information that is generally available regarding strep throat and bronchitis: Common Winter Illness’. Each individual has unique medical needs based on several factors. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition that you are experiencing. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.