Let’s face it…we live in a “go-go” world! Our lifestyle is harried, our food is fast, and statistics show that stress takes a toll on one of the most important parts of our life--sleep.
Are You Getting Enough Sleep?
A National Sleep Foundation Sleep in America poll found that:
- Seventy-four percent of American adults experience a sleeping problem a few nights a week or more
- Thirty-nine percent get less than seven hours of sleep each weeknight
- More than one in three (37 percent) are so sleepy during the day that it interferes with daily activities
Clearly, our fast paced way of life is getting the best of us.
Test Your Sleep IQ
What about you? Test your beliefs about sleep by answering true or false to the following statements:
- Five hours of sleep at night is good enough.
- It's ok to skimp on sleep during the work week as long as you make up the time over the weekends.
- The effects of sleep deprivation are short-term (e.g., darkness under the eyes and dull and/or splotchy skin after a bad night's sleep) and has no effect on long-term health.
- Drinking caffeine early in the evening does not affect sleep.
- Keeping a TV or computer in the bedroom has no effect on sleep.
- The amount of sleep I get has nothing to do with my weight, chronic pain, or overall health.
If you answered “true” to two or more questions, you may need to make a few changes in order to achieve that highly coveted good night’s sleep—and keep yourself in optimal health.
Experts suggest that most people need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, but that doesn’t apply to everyone. Some people only require six hours, while those who are more active or have an illness may require more.
Jesse Cannone is a fitness trainer and the co-owner of www.losethebackpain.com
What are the misconceptions about older adults and sleep? And how do sleep problems affect seniors? Get The Facts about Seniors and Sleep.
Looking for tips to improve your sleep? See Sleep Well: How to Get a Good Night's Sleep.
