Sleep is an important part of a healthy, productive mind and body. While the National Sleep Foundation recommends between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night, it is natural to have some nights where that goal just seems impossible. However, if you have regularly been experiencing issues with your sleep habits, then it is important not to dismiss it. For more information on how to improve your sleep, sleep disorders, and sleep apnea treatment, contact Dr. Shukla today.
Why is Sleep so Important?
When stress levels go up and time is running low, the last thing on your list of things to do is sleep. However, that is just about the worst thing you can do. Prioritizing a well-balanced sleep schedule is extremely important for your overall health in more ways than one. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, sleep is an integral part of healing and repairing your heart and blood vessels. In addition, unchecked sleep deprivation can lead to serious health risks like heart diseases, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and strokes.
Poor sleeping habits have also been linked to:
- Weight gain
- Decreased physical performance
- Poor mental awareness
- Inability to focus
- Depression
- Stress
- Anxiety
Each of these side effects can negatively impact your quality of life, so it is important to improve your sleep as soon as regular sleep deprivation becomes regular. To discuss symptoms to look out for and how to be proactive, make an appointment with your sleep doctor in New York.
Losing Just 16 minutes of Sleep can Impact you
Many imagine sleep deprivation involving hours of missed sleep. However, a recent study found that just 16 minutes of missed sleep can impact your work performance. This sleep study was conducted by the University of South Florida and it measured the participants sleep schedules against how often they were distracted throughout the workday. What they found was rather alarming. They found that losing just 16 minutes of sleep can increase distracting thoughts and increase the difficulty of finishing their tasks. This study alone should highlight the importance of sleep for both employers and employees alike. It also communicates the negative impact that lack of sleep has on your body and how crucial it is to stick to a healthy sleeping regimen.
How to Improve Your Sleep
If you have recently been experiencing sleep deprivation or have been having difficulty sleeping, then it could be steaming from a variety of sources. Here are a few methods to try to improve your sleeping habits:
- Limit caffeine– Try limiting or eliminating caffeine from your diet, especially in the late morning, afternoon, and evening.
- No phone before bed– Second, make an active effort to not look at your phone, or watch TV, at least one hour before bed. The blue light from the electronics can impact how easy it is for you to fall asleep.
- Don’t hang out in your bed– Try to only sit or lay in your bed when you are attempting to sleep. Conditioning your body and mind to associate your bed with sleep alone can be extremely helpful in getting your sleep back on track.
These changes can be effective, but if the root of the lack of sleep is deeper then it may not be enough. If you have tried these approaches but have not seen any improvement, then you may have a sleeping disorder. Fortunately, the experts at Dr. Shukla’s office will be able to assess if that is the case. We will offer solutions to help implement a proper sleep schedule for you again.
