Sleep Deprivation |
1. Why You Need
Sleep
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute sleep
deficiency can increase your risk for some chronic health problems.
They also mentioned that it can affect how well you think, and
react.
2. Sleep Needs
Vary
Did you know that
the average adult needs for sleep ranges from 7.5 to 8 hours of sleep
per night? That is according WebMD. They further talk about the
need for sleep not only varies from individual to individual, but
that genetics and heredity play an important role.
3.. Assess Your
Sleep Needs
The National
Sleep Foundation suggests that you might want to ask yourself a few
questions to assess your individual sleep needs. You might ask
questions such as are you productive on seven hours of sleep or do
you depend on caffeine to get you through the day? When I recall
when my children were babies, I seemingly could sleep all the time.
They further added that a newborn to 3 months may sleep 14-17 hours
per night, whereas school age children may sleep 9-11 hours.
4. Sleep
Deprivation
It is important
to find out how much sleep you need in order to not experience sleep deprivation. Signs of sleep deprivation may include fatigue,
irritability, reduced immunity, and difficulty making decisions
according to helpguide.org
* * *NOTE* * * So remember you are the one to determine how much sleep you may need.
Once you know that make it a priority to get enough sleep.
5.
Seasons
Have
you ever considered that you need more sleep in the winter than in
the summer? There is a reason for this. There are winter conditions
that contribute to your need for more sleep.
According
to Huffington's Post suggest that the hormone Melatonin is linked to
lightness and darkness. So less sunlight during the winter may
cause more Melatonin, therefore causing you to be tired and sleepy.
They further stress it is important to get a good night's sleep.
*
* *Note: * * *
I
know in the winter, I almost want to hibernate like a bear. I want
to stay in my nice warm house and only go out in the weather when I
need to. Now that is
not the case in the summer.
During
the summer I can find many things that I want to do outside. I
guess that would explain why in the summertime we have all this burst
of energy. I do believe the Vitamin D from the sun has a lot to do
with that too.
6. Shorter Days During Winter
6. Shorter Days During Winter
Bodyecology.com
states that winter is the best time for focus on your sleep, because
shorter days provide us with extra hours of darkness for good sleep.
They also state it helps your adrenals, which work hard repairing
your body when you sleep. I can attest to how sleepy I feel during
the winter, but then during the summer I have bursts of energy nearly
all of the time.
7.
Sleep Deprivation
*
* *Could you possibly have sleep deprivation?
* **
According
to healthline.com some of the symptoms of sleep deprivation are
hungriness all the time, weight gain, emotions are all over the
place, you get sick often, and much more. Does any of this sound
familiar to you?
I know that lack
of sleep can be detrimental. I recall my now deceased husband coming
home from work after working second shift. He fell asleep at the
wheel and totaled out our car, but I was thankful he came out without
a scratch. I also have discovered I should not try to make important
decisions at this time, because I might just not be thinking clearly.
Usually after I get enough sleep my perspective and other things
seem to look a lot better than before.
8.
What Can You Do?
According
to Fit&fabliving you can fight off winter fatigue by getting as
much safe sun exposure as possible. You can do this by opening
drapes and blinds, get time outdoors in the sunlight, keep a regular
sleep schedule, and find ways to relax. These are just a few of their
suggestions. I do believe in getting more sunlight, I can just feel
the difference in my body in the summer with much sunlight as oppose
to the winter, when there is less. So the next time you feel sleepy
during the winter time remember some of the reasons why and know you
can do something about it. I
also have observed
when I get my proper
sleep I have less sickness such as colds and coughs. I never realized
how important sleep is to my health.
*
* NOTE: * *
If
you have not been getting enough sleep, be intentional to start
getting that sleep that is so vital for you. Don't wait until you
have a disaster like a heart attack, stroke, accident, or even
worse.
Do You Know How Much Sleep You Need?
Photo
Caption: Commons, Wikimedia.org., Public Domain
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11 comments:
Thanks so much for this information! I try my best to get at least 7 hours of sleep from Monday through Friday, but usually end up getting less than that. I find that by the end of the week I feel extremely tired and then end up catching up on sleep in the weekends. It's very difficult for the average person to get good sleep, but it is SO incredibly important!
According to some of the research I've read, teenagers who get enough sleep tend to have higher grades, do better in sports, and do better overall.
Thanks for the reminder of why getting enough sleep is vital and the importance of understanding your own body's personal need for sleep. I've always needed at least seven hours of sleep--eight is optimal. I used to say I couldn't get that much sleep, but it's not true. I've made sleep a priority and found a way to get it. I found your post on the Bloggers Pit Stop.
Your welcome Christie.
I believe that Lee.
Betty, thanks for the info on this important topic. I also recently listened to a doctor who said 8 to 9 hours a night is optimal and that some people sleep too long, that anything over 9 hours on a regular basis is harmful. Wish I had that problem! :-)
Your welcome Jean.
I agree Erika.
I do. It is such a precious time for our bodies to rejuvenate.
Yes it is precious Dr Elise
These are great tips. I try to get at least 6 - 8 hours of sleep each night. Thanks for sharing on Sunday's Best.
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