Sleep and Be Well – Do You Get Quality Sleep?
Sleep is super important for our well-being and health. Many people struggle with sleep issues that could be easily corrected.
*Sleep is increasingly recognized as important to public health, with sleep insufficiency linked to motor vehicle crashes, industrial disasters, and medical and other occupational errors.
*Unintentionally falling asleep, nodding off while driving, and having difficulty performing daily tasks because of sleepiness all may contribute to these hazardous outcomes.
*Persons experiencing sleep insufficiency are also more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, and obesity, as well as from cancer, increased mortality, and reduced quality of life and productivity.
We are sharing this information with you to keep you informed, improve your health and well-being and help you understand critical health care information and how it impacts your health and your wallet. So what are the implications?
In our society we tend to wear sleep deprivation as a “badge of honor,” as we now know good, quality sleep is essential for good health.
During sleep we progress thru Stages 1-5, with Stage 5 being REM sleep. The first REM cycle starts about 90 minutes into sleep, each REM cycle gets longer as you sleep. Most people require 4-5 periods of REM, without it you have a decrease in cognitive function and a decrease in the ability to learn complex tasks.
How do we get more quality sleep? We cannot cover such a large topic in this space so here are a few tips.
1. Get evaluated for sleep apnea, especially if you are a voracious snorer.
2. Control allergies, asthma, upper respiratory infections – difficulty breathing will make sleep difficult.
3. Try to keep bedtime and wake up time the same most days.
4. Control pain – it will be very difficult to get comfortable when you are in pain. Ice, heat, heat patches, topical analgesics and sleep positions specific to your condition may be helpful.
5. Find a comfortable mattress, there is not one mattress that is right for everyone.
6. Keep your blood sugar steady with small, frequent, high protein meals throughout the day.
7. Here are a couple links with sleep tips:
Be Well!
Remember health is a journey and not a destination. What you do in the practice of health care will go miles and pay dividends over time.
If you still feel that you are struggling in creating a healthy living plan, you will be thrilled to know that Dr. Galante has powerful programs that will teach you the specific steps that will help you to become and stay healthier.