How To Fight The Effects Of Sleep Deprivation

Sleep Deprivation

If you suffer from a lack of sleep, you are not alone. Nearly a quarter of the adult American population, or 47 million adults, has some form of a lack of sleep. This condition can affect a persons energy level, emotional state, memory and mental abilities. This can lead to depression, stress and irritability. There are other health implications that can afflict the body as a result of a lack of sleep. As the body is deprived of sleep, its ability to metabolize glucose declines, leading to the early stages of diabetes. Additionally, a normally healthy person will begin to show sign of premature aging. a lack of sleep is not a condition to be taken lightly.

Interestingly, the symptoms of a lack of sleep can actually interfere with a persons sleep patterns. As stress from lack of sleep increases, the bodys ability to wind down and get adequate rest declines. As a person ages, they require less sleep. An infant, up to 24 months old requires thirteen to seventeen hours of sleep. However, people who are sixteen to sixty-five years old only need six to nine hours. These are not hard, fast figures, though. Everyone is different and while some folks may do just fine on three or four hours of sleep a night, others may need ten or more.

How to Get a Better Nights Sleep

Create a Bedtime Ritual - Take some time to relax and de-stress before you go to bed. Create some type of a bedtime ritual to prepare your mind and body for bed and create a break between the stresses of the day and your time of rest. Try some light reading, meditation, aromatherapy or a warm bath, anything that helps you unwind and get ready for sleep.

Stay Away From Caffeine - Everybody knows that caffeine is stimulant. That is why people take it in the morning to wake up. What may not be so apparent is how long caffeine can stay in a persons system. It can actually remain in your system for up to fourteen hours. You could still be awake at midnight, from a cup of coffee at noon. Avoid caffeine at least five to seven hours before going to bed.

Dont Use Alcohol to Help You Get to Sleep - Although alcohol may initially make you drowsy and make it easier to fall asleep, it can cause disturbances in sleep. This results in a less restful sleep.

Restrict Nicotine - Many people do not realize that nicotine is actually stimulant. After all, a smoke before bedtime feels so relaxing, right? Nicotine acts similar to caffeine in a persons system. It can keep you awake and cause you to wake during the night.

Make Your Bedroom a Place for Sleep - Lower the lights, keep the room cool (but not cold) and turn down the noise. Do everything that you can to make your bedroom a place conducive to sleep and relaxation.

Dont Leave the TV on to go to Sleep - When you watch TV in bed, you start associating the bed with non-sleep activities. This can make it difficult to fall asleep. Moreover, TV shows are based on conflict then resolution. Whether you realize it or not, this can be stressful to you on a subconscious level. Leaving the TV on while you sleep can also be detrimental to your getting adequate rest. Even as you sleep you can hear what is happening on the TV and a part of your subconscious can even process it, raising your stress levels and disrupting your sleep. Depression and lack of energy? For a supplement that has shown to boost energy, try glyconutrient supplements...

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Spencer Hunt is a wellness consultant and a glyconutrients distributor. Glyconutrients help the body boost energy and immune function. Visit his glyconutrition site www.ifoundhealth.com: glyconutrients supplements.

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