Why Sleep Should Be a Top Priority in Your Life
By Genevieve Cunningham
If you’re like most adults in the modern world, you’re probably sick of feeling rundown and exhausted. It seems as though we can never get enough rest. We're busy and constantly stimulated, and as a result, we're more exhausted than ever before. Unfortunately, this ongoing lack of sleep is killing our health. If you're among the sleep deprived, you may be wondering exactly how it affects well-being. To help you get motivated to improve your sleeping habits, take a look at these reasons why sleep should be a top priority.
Adequate Sleep Improves Brain Function
When you don't get enough sleep, the brain suffers. You may notice that your focus is not what it should be and that your memory is short lived. And when the health of the brain suffers, everything in life becomes more difficult. When you improve your sleep, the function of the brain improves, and quality of life is improved as a result.
Fatigue Lowers Productivity
Even beyond brain function, excessive fatigue severely affects basic productivity. And as Americans, we really value productivity. Exhaustion means that we get less accomplished -- at work, at home, with our families, and in our personal lives. If you feel the need to be more productive, getting more sleep is a good place to begin.
Tips for Getting More Sleep
It’s fine to talk about getting more sleep, but making it happen is another story. If you could sleep, you’d do it, right? Luckily, there may be some small changes that you can make to improve your chances of quality sleep. A few include:
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Get up early - Maintaining a good schedule is crucial for good sleep. While it’s good to set an early bedtime, it might be easier to begin with an early wake-up time. It will be difficult at the beginning, but waking up earlier may make you tired earlier, which then allows you to fall asleep at the end of the day.
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Stay active - If you don’t do anything to burn energy during the day, you won’t be tired enough at night to get rest. Do your best to stay active throughout the day, and your chances of sleep will likely improve.
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Limit technology - Of course you love technology. We all do! But if you’re constantly on a device, you’re definitely damaging your sleep … and probably your health. Limit your technology, especially as it gets close to bedtime. This one tip may be enough to top your sleeping habits in a more positive direction.
If you’re not getting enough sleep, it’s definitely time to take this aspect of your health seriously. Use these tips to get better quality sleep, and you may find better health and a more positive outlook on life as a much needed and welcomed result.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Alexandria, Va.