The Importance of a Good Night's Sleep

Feeling tired? Hard to think clearly? Tempted to lie down on the couch and pull a blanket over your head? It's very likely your feeling the effects of lack of sleep. A good night's sleep is hard to come by for many. You toss, turn, anticipate the fact that you have only a few hours before you need to wake up. It can raise your anxiety level and make it difficult to quiet your mind.

We are becoming a nation of sleep-deprived citizens. Gone are the days of our natural body clock waking us up with energy and vitality, ready to start a new day. We have become accustomed to poor eating habits, relying on sleeping aids, and alarm clocks have become a necessity.

There are over 10 million people who suffer from insomnia and are subsequently sleep-deprived. This has become a national epidemic. Just like someone who's had a little too much to drink can get behind the wheel of a car, so can someone who's in a constant drowsy state. Realizing you have a problem is an important first step in both situations. Realizing how dangerous lack of sleep can become, can be life-saving.

We need enough sleep to live a long and healthy life as well as warding off disease and anxiety. Researchers have also proven lack of sleep is connected with weight gain and chronic fatigue. Ever notice, how quick you are to catch a cold or the flu when you've gone a few days without a good nights rest? Your immune levels are reduced, which hinders your body's ability to fight off infection.

Things to consider in the quest for a good night's sleep.

1. Quit Smoking ~ as if there aren't enough health reasons already to give up cigarettes, nicotine is a stimulant. It can be one of the causes of insomnia.

2. Alcohol ~ Alcohol will interrupt natural sleep patterns and cause you to toss and turn. The next morning you will feel the effects of how little sound sleep you actually had.

3. Caffeine ~ Coffee, tea, chocolate taken too close to bedtime, can have profound effects on the quality of your slumber.

4. Late Eating ~ A heavy meal in the late hours of the evening are bound to give you crazy dreams as well as difficulty in digestion. A better alternative is to set up a cutoff time at least 3-4 hours before going to bed.

5. Make your bed your haven ~ We spent a good part of our lifetime in bed, so why not make it as comfortable as possible. Adding extra pillows and higher quality sheets will help in creating a restful setting.

6. Clear the clutter. Your bedroom should reflect a place of soothing peacefulness. Clutter can be distracting and add to stress levels.

7. Keep your room very dark. Think about darker curtains or shades.

8. Mask unnecessary noise. Listen to a cd of falling rain or sounds of the ocean. This has been proven to have a powerful effect on the quality of sleep.

9. Go to bed at the same time every night. Forming habits can help set your body rhythm and making falling asleep easier and faster.

10. Sex. It's not just a line your partner has used on you. It really does work. It allows your body to feel nurtured and relaxed.