Sleep is key to improved health and well-being

The importance of sleep 

We all know sleep is vital to both our mental and physical health. It improves our performance and mood. It’s the time of day when our body restores itself on a cellular level and our brains integrate and process all that occurred during the day.   

But for many, sleep can be challenging.  According to a survey by the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2020, 14.5 percent of adults in a survey had trouble falling asleep most days or every day within the past 30 days. Poor sleep is known to increase the risk of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. 

The necessity of adequate sleep 

Adults require about seven hours of sleep per night, regardless of age. Chronic sleep deprivation can trigger weight gain, increased fatigue, severe mood changes, and difficulty making decisions. If you have a lack of sleep, you can try keeping a sleep diary to track your sleep and daytime drowsiness. There are also multiple devices on the market that will help monitor your sleep quantity and quality.  

First, you must make sleep a priority. Signs of good sleep are falling asleep within 30 minutes, not waking up frequently or for long periods, and feeling refreshed upon waking.