Sleep is Key for Better Health

With all the demands of a busy lifestyle, many people end up with fewer than the recommended hours of sleep, leaving them feeling exhausted. But the reality is that sleeping soundly is about more than waking up feeling refreshed. Quality sleep can affect your entire body and is a foundation for good health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one third of American adults usually get less than the recommended amount of sleep, which may vary from 7 to 9 hours. Insufficient sleep is related to a number of problems including depression, anxiety, decreased cognitive functioning and memory, and slower reaction times. It can also lead to chronic health conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.

The good news is many people can improve their sleep quality by following some simple steps at home. If lifestyle changes are not enough to improve the quality of your sleep health, our Memorial Hermann sleep specialists are here to help.

Talk to your doctor about your sleep issues.
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Risks of Poor Sleep

According to the CDC, without enough quality sleep, you may be at an increased risk of developing chronic health problems including:

In addition, poor sleep can cause:

  • Breathing problems
  • Hormone imbalance
  • Memory and cognitive issues
  • Accidents due to slow reaction times
  • Stress and anxiety

Tips for a Better Night's Sleep

To develop a healthy sleep schedule, the National Sleep Foundation recommends focusing on a sleep hygiene routine in the evening combined with a wake-up routine in the morning. Creating consistency can help. Give these tips a try:

Daytime Tips

  1. Expose yourself to natural light as soon as you can after you wake up.
  2. Exercise 30 minutes each day, three to five days each week.
  3. Keep mealtimes consistent each day.

Nighttime Tips

  1. Limit heavy meals, nicotine, caffeine and alcohol before bedtime.
  2. Establish a relaxing wind-down routine before you go to bed and keep a consistent bedtime.
  3. Put away electronic devices one hour before bedtime, and keep your bedroom quiet, cool and dark.

Making lifestyle changes takes practice. Download additional tips for improved sleep hygiene.

Get the Help You Need.

Everyone experiences periodic problems with sleep. But if sleeplessness is prolonged, if you have trouble functioning during the day, or if your bed partner complains about your snoring, it’s time to talk to your doctor about your options.

With affiliated sleep specialists and dedicated Sleep Disorders Centers, Memorial Hermann offers resources that can help improve the quality of your sleep.

Our Sleep Centers

With locations throughout the Greater Houston area, Memorial Hermann Sleep Centers offers adults and children convenient access to sleep studies. If you have a physician’s referral, please contact one of our Sleep Centers to schedule a sleep study.

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Sleep: Your Questions Answered