Healthy Sleep Tips

Good sleep is very important for our overall health. The average adult sleeps about seven or eight hours per night with some people needing as few as five hours to as many as ten hours per night. We need more sleep when we are sick or injured. Young babies who need a lot of energy for growing sleep more, and many elderly people need less sleep, but every one needs a consistent amount of sleep every night. There are many reasons that people do not sleep well such as illness and stress, but many people just have poor sleeping habits. Below is a list of helpful suggestions to improve your sleep. If you have any questions, just ask!

1. Set a regular bedtime and stick to it! Even on weekends and holidays. This gets your body accustomed to falling asleep at a regular time.
2. Reserve your bed for sleeping and sex only. This means no reading, watching television, eating or doing other activities in bed.
3. Your bedroom should be sufficiently dark, quiet, and a comfortable temperature. Bedrooms that are too hot, too cold, or too noisy are disruptive to healthy sleep.
   4 Do not drink any caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, or pop) after about 3pm (or about eight hours before your planned bedtime).
4. Do not eat right before going to bed. Also, no alcoholic drinks (nightcaps) before going to bed. Alcohol does not help people sleep better. It may actually keep you awake.
5. Do not exercise or do strenuous activities shortly before your bedtime.
6. If you find yourself unable to sleep after about twenty to thirty minutes in bed, don't lie there and toss and turn, get up and do some quiet activity such as reading.
7. Do not take any over the counter remedies or medications for sleep without asking us first.
8. Finally, listen to your body. If you feel tired go to bed even if it seems "too early." Your body is trying to tell you something.