You're Not Sleeping That Great : Here's How We Know
A great night of sleep feels amazing. Perhaps you remember the feeling after a lazy weekend or getaway retreat. Good sleep not only makes you feel reconnected with your health, but also reconnected with your mind and soul. So if most of us have experienced a night or two of amazing sleep in our lifetimes, why then do we settle for mediocre sleep every other day.
Even if you are getting the recommended amount of sleep each night, you are still not getting the best sleep possible. How do I know? Because you are showing one of these signs.
You Need Coffee to Push You Through the Day
Here’s a scary fact for you. Majority of people who rely on coffee, soda, and energy drinks to stay alert throughout the day actually have a sleep disorder. Don’t convince yourself that you are drinking coffee just because you love the taste of it. Instead, realize that you aren’t getting the best sleep possible if you need coffee to wake you up in the morning or to keep you going in the afternoon.
Late Riser
If you can sleep until noon on your days off, then your body is trying to resolve your sleep debt issue. It’s understandable that you are busy, but stop convincing yourself that you can run on five hours of sleep each night so that you are able to get things done. You truly need more sleep if you sleep more than ten hours on the weekend. That is a sign that your body is trying to catch up.
Slow to Sleep, Quick to Anger
If you feel as if your fuse is shorter than you would like it – i.e. everything annoys you, even the innocent things, then that is also a major sign that you are sleep deprived. One study discovered that people who got only 4.5 hours of sleep a night for one week reported feeling more stressed, angry, and sad. Thankfully your mood and good temperament will return as soon as you start getting more sleep and sticking with a normal sleep schedule.
You Go to the Bathroom Often During the Night
Unless you are pregnant, your body is not designed to wake you up multiple times to go to the bathroom at night. Your frequent waking might actually be due to a bigger seep issue at hand, such as sleep apnea. Talk with your doctor if you continually wake throughout the night so that a sleep study can be initiated.
Getting good sleep is essential for our overall health, mood, and even our relationships. If you suspect you have a sleep problem, don’t just assume it will go away on its own. Get professional help.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Donnie Ray Jones