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