Getting the Sleep You Need

We know that getting a good night's sleep is essential to being productive throughout the day for staying healthy throughout our lives. Adults require about eight hours of sleep a night. Some people need a little less, and some need a little more. It is easy to find out how much sleep you need. Start recording the number of hours of sleep you are getting and think about how you feel during the day. If you are tired and sluggish, you are probably not getting enough sleep.

Here are a few ways to get more, high quality sleep.

1) Establish a routine. Do your best to go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning. Sleeping too long on weekend mornings is not good for your internal clock and can lead to sleep deprivation throughout the week. If you teach your body to sleep during certain hours, sleep will come more easily.

2) Save your bed for sleeping. Many of us watch television, read and even work in our beds. This is not conducive to good sleep. Teach your body that bedtime is sleep time. Your bed should be a relaxed respite where your body can recharge.

3) Don't eat late at night. Eating at night can interfere with your sleep as you body works at digesting your food. Try not to eat at least two hours before you go to bed. This will also help with weight loss as eating before bed is associated with weight gain.

4) Make physical exercise and activity a priority. When you are more physical during the day, your body gets more tired. As a result, you get better sleep. Some people find that exercising before bed is helpful for sleep while others find their energy increased after exercise and prefer to do physical activity earlier in the day.

5) Use sleep medications sparingly. Some people find that sleep medications help them get a better night's sleep. Sometimes, though, medications just end up complicating your internal clock. Talk to your doctor before using medications for sleep, even over-the-counter medications. She can tell you which medications are best for you. Melatonin can be a good choice for regulating your sleep as it releases melatonin in your body, which tells your body it is time for sleep.

These suggestions should get you on the road to a better night's sleep. Talking to your doctor is always a good idea to get help and suggestions specific to your body.

Remember there are few gifts you can give yourself that are better than good sleep. Be good to your body!