Yesterday was National Sleep Day, meaning that last night was a night for reevaluating sleep hygiene and its effects on our health. Did you get a complete and rested night’s sleep? Are you well rested today? If not, perhaps it’s time to improve your sleep habits.
A symptom of many mood disorders, lack of sleep has been shown to increase risk of stroke, negatively affect the immune system and raise anxiety levels. A good night’s sleep reduces inflammation, allows our bodies to repair themselves and increases productivity.
If you are suffering from poor sleep hygiene, try setting a schedule. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning. Routine makes it easier to get to sleep and stay asleep. Additionally, a pre-bed routine can also help get us in the frame of mind to go to bed. This can be something like reading a book or taking a bath before bed. With time, your body will be ready for sleep by the time you lie down. Try to avoid large meals, caffeine, exercise and electronics use before bedtime. If you can leave your cell phone out of the bedroom, all the better.
If you spent National Sleep Day tossing and turning, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate your sleep hygiene and make a few changes to improve mood and overall health.
