Get Your Zzzz’s

December 3, 2018

We've heard a million times that sleep is important, but we Americans do not prioritize sleep. The go-go-go, "I'll sleep when I'm dead" attitude is very pervasive. But being constantly sleep-deprived can have dire consequences.

Only 2% of Americans reported getting less than 6 hours of sleep in 1960, compared with 40% in 2013. That's a BIG difference. And I fear that number will keep increasing.

A lack of proper sleep has been associated with:

- Overweight/Obesity - if you are having trouble losing those last few pounds, I would recommend trying to get 8+ hours of sleep per night for a week or two and see if you notice a change.

- Diabetes - sleep deprivation limits the body's ability to regulate blood sugar. Even just one bad night's sleep can make us much more likely to reach for the junk food the next day. Make the lack of sleep problem chronic and you've got a recipe for diabetes.

- Depression - this can be a vicious cycle -- poor sleep quality can lead to depression, which can cause sleeplessness...ugh. Don't wait for an occasional depressed thought to develop into full-blown depression. Address your sleep NOW.

- Poor School/Work Performance - a lack of sleep can lead to a decreased ability to concentrate, making learning and productivity difficult. If your child suffers from any sort of learning disability, addressing his/her sleep is of the utmost importance.

There is a lot of debate about which diet or exercise program is ideal, but everyone agrees that we need adequate sleep. Adults need an average of 7-9 hours per night (and that means the hours spent actually SLEEPING, not including lying in bed trying to fall asleep). Children ages 6 -12 years old should sleep 9-12 hours, and teens ages 13-18 years old should sleep 8-10 hours.

Make getting at least 7 hours of sleep per night your early New Year's Resolution (click here for some tips) and let me know if you notice a difference!