Do You Know the Importance of Sleep?

 Does a teenager need as much sleep as a baby? Do your sleep needs change as you age? Why do some people need lots of sleep while others need very little?

Sleep Deprivation

Sleep needs can change and can vary with different age groups. I asked myself, “How much sleep do I need?” I recall as a teenager loving to sleep late when I was off from school. Now I automatically wake in the morning without an alarm clock and seemingly only needing 5 to 6 hours of sleep per night. During the summer months as soon as it turns light outside and I hear birds chirping, I will awake.

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

Why You Need More sleep in the winter

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

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

Sources:

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Sleep through the Decades

How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?

Sleep Needs

 Are You Suffering From Winter Tiredness? Here’s How To Beat It

Sleeping Trouble? Discover Why Winter Is the Ideal Time to Learn How to SleepRight

The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Your Body

 4 Ways to Fight Off Winger Fatigue

8 Ways Winter Affects Our Sleep 

  

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