Taking Care of Yourself (Part 2)
As I stated last week, this short series will be helping us to assess risk factors in our lives. These are ones I am guilty of as well, so this is reminder for myself as well.
SLEEP. We have all heard about how important it is, and we have probably even heard anecdotally about some of the harmful effects of not getting enough sleep. If you have not heard, the CDC (yes – we have opinions on them, but they are a source) reports that not getting enough sleep affects mental, physical as well as long term health.
A lack of sleep builds on itself. It will “seriously impair your performance”. Basically your entire health is highly impacted by your sleep. It has been reported to impact memory, as well as recovery. This is a link to an article on the CDC’s website about the risks of working long hours. It specifically goes over sleep deprivation. Article
The challenge for many of us it that we all don’t require the right about of sleep. And it is possible to get too much sleep. Other factors that can impact this is your weight. If you are taking of the rest of your body and are not feeling rested, it s probably a good time to see a doctor about it. They might even require a sleep study.
I have personally had a sleep study. Mine was not restful nor comfortable, but I was able to put my mind at ease about some of the concerns of my ex-wife.
A few things that have been reported to help with your sleep.
- Setting and Keeping a regular bedtime and wake up time
- Turning off all electronics (Computer, phones, TV) an hour before your scheduled bedtime. If you use your phone for an alarm, just be sure not to check it (and turn on the do not disturb mode) at least an hour before your scheduled bedtime.
- Making sure there are no lights turned on that may hamper your bodies natural melatonin production.
- Avoiding caffeine or alcohol a few hours before going to sleep. (I am not saying never to drink I am just discussing creating the right environment for going to sleep)
- Not eating right before going to bed
The Mayo Clnic has the following suggestions.
- Stick to a sleep schedule
- Pay attention to what you eat (and when)
- Create a restful environment
- Limit daytime naps
- Include physical activity in your regular routine
- Manage worries
We all just need to remember to start focusing on getting enough sleep. And if you are concerned or, others have mentioned to you that you might be sleeping too much, see your doctor.
Getting enough sleep is great way to start taking care of yourself.