By Hanna Brooks Olsen for Blisstree.com
You don't have to be one of the 70 million Americans who suffer from a sleep disorder to wish for ways to sleep better. Between heavy work loads that keep many of us up late, the lure of late-night TV and our social lives, we may skimp on shut-eye -- and then wonder why we're tossing and turning when we finally do hit the sack. This week is National Sleep Awareness Week, so let's take this opportunity to be aware of why exactly a good night's rest is so important -- and learn some non-drug-related ways to sleep better.
Insomnia and sleep disorders don't just mean you can't fall asleep -- they can also impact your quality of sleep. Even if you sleep a full seven or eight hours, if your sleep quality is low (i.e., not enough deep, restful sleep), your body does all kinds of wonky things that basically make it hard to exist. Aside from a lack of concentration, too little REM time may actually make you more prone to cancer, heart disease and diabetes. It also leads to poor job performance, mood disorders and can trigger depression. Plus, there's research that shows crappy or insufficient sleep may also lead to weight gain, as tired folks try to eat more to wake up.
But instead of turning off the TV earlier or examining their diets to help curb the effects of, say, too much Jimmy Fallon in bed, many Americans turn to sleep-enhancing drugs. Sleeping pills may help knock you out, but they can also be dangerous when taken incorrectly, and can reduce the possibility that you awaken should something bad happen during the night.
Instead of reaching for a pill bottle, consider some of these simple ways to secure a solid night of restful sleep. Some may seem tough, but the result can mean a world of difference.
sleep better
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