When the quality of sleep suffers, the quality of life suffers, too. We spend about a third of our life, 20-25 years, sleeping. Many of us suffer some type of sleep disorder like insomnia or sleep apnea (breathing cessation) that reduces the restorative quality of sleep. Sleep is affected by physical ailments, diet, alcohol and medications, as well as emotional stress and work demands. It’s also common for sleep patterns to change as we age, making deep, restful sleep more elusive.
Are you having more trouble sleeping lately? Take the Sleep Quotient Quiz developed by the National Sleep Foundation. Check the statements that often apply to you:
Falling asleep is hard for me.
I have too much on my mind to fall asleep
It takes me more than 30 minutes to fall asleep
When I wake up during the night, I can’t go back to sleep.
Sometimes I am afraid to close my eyes and go to sleep.
I feel like I’m dreaming all night
I wake up too early.
Even when I sleep all night, I feel tired in the morning.
I am stiff and sore in the morning
I feel irritable when I can’ft sleep
If you checked one or more of these statements, its time to make sleep a priority. Its as essential to your health and peak performance as exercise and nutrition. Do what you can to get the sleep you need. Start by keeping a diary of your sleep habits for 10 days to identify how much sleep you’re getting; note the factors that might be interfering with it. If the problems noted above continue, discuss sleep disorders with your primary care provider.
More Info: National Sleep Foundation. sleepfoundation.org
Author: Vanita Correa- USA