Our lifestyle has a lot to do with how we feel. If you are a person who can’t sit still, you might have a hard time settling down at the end of the day. Others may worry a lot and that could lead to stress related illnesses. Changing to a healthier lifestyle is not as hard as it may seem. I have found that there is one change that can improve your health and mostly everyone would not mind doing. That is getting more sleep.
Most of us think that getting a few hours of sleep everyday can’t do any harm. If I have too much work to do I might skip out on 4 hours of sleep. This may not be harmful once in a while. But only getting a few hours everyday can be.
Rob Stien from The Washington Post reported a large study that had evidence showing a link between the lack of sleep and our growing obesity epidemic. The large study suggests that the decreasing of the average hours that Americans are sleeping may be disrupting hormones that regulate appetite. He also said that this study followed a series of studies that found the lack of a good night sleep may increase the risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Getting enough sleep has a lot to do with how you spend your time awake. Stress is the number one reason why Americans do not get enough sleep. The Better Sleep Council says that 65% of Americans are losing sleep due to stress. 26% of women say they are kept awake by stress compared to only 16% of men. And 19% of people between the ages of 45-64 admit to stress related sleep deprivation.
I am amazed at how much little sleep can affect your health. But I would find it very difficult to develop a healthy sleep plan. But I have found one courtesy of the National Sleep Foundation that looks like a winner:
In the morning wake up at the same time refreshed and without help. Have a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate if you like it and it doesn't bother you. Eat a nutritious breakfast. Begin work alert with lots of energy and in a good mood.
In the afternoon have a nutritious lunch. Exercise by late afternoon. Avoid alcohol, nicotine and caffeinated products.
In the evening have a nutritious dinner. Stop working and begin to relax before bedtime. Eat a light, healthy snack. Before bed, listen to music, read a novel, take a bath and think about your day, appreciating what you accomplished and whom you touched. Make sure your sleeping environment is cool, quiet, dark and comfortable. Go to bed at your regular time.
Get a good night of 7 to 9 hours in bed with lots of deep sleep without disruptions.
Sweet dreams!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/08/AR2005100801405.html
http://www.bettersleep.org/OnBetterSleep/stress_sleep.asp
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/hottopics/index.php?secid=9&id=212
|
Set as homepage 
|
Add to favorites 
|
