National Sleep Awareness Week

Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial and an essential function that allows your body and mind to recharge. Healthy sleep is needed to help your body stave off diseases. When you do not get enough sleep, your brain cannot function properly impairing your ability to concentrate and think clearly.

March 13 - 19th, 2022 is National Sleep Awareness Week. This annual event celebrates sleep health and encourages all of us to prioritize our sleep to improve overall well being and health. This awareness week was established in 1998 by the National Sleep Foundation. In the United States, 50 to 70 million adults are affected by a sleep disorder and every year, 30% - 40% of U.S. adults report symptoms of insomnia at some point.

There are multiple health effects that can occur due to lack of sleep. Adults 18-64 should have 7- 9 hours of sleep a night while adults 64+ need 7- 8 hours. Children need a lot more rest. The younger someone is the more rest their body needs to replenish itself. People who sleep less than seven hours a night are more likely to develop obesity. There is a higher risk of diabetes when getting too little sleep (less than 7 hours) and too much sleep (9 or more hours).

Everyone can make some adjustments in their daily lives to get better rest.

Ask your health care provider for a referral with a sleep professional to know if you need to change any of your sleeping habits. At the National Sleep Foundation website you can take their online poll to see if you have any sleeping disorders.

Resources:

Sleep foundation

Sleep Statistics 2022

• Stick to a schedule: sleep habits should stay consistent throughout the whole week
• Limit caffeine intake: the more caffeine consumed, the easier it is to develop insomnia
• Exercise: exercising regularly helps to regulate your sleep patterns and boost your mood
• Have a nighttime routine: helps signal to the brain and body it’s time to sleep