Sleep Deprivation is a Chronic Condition

Sleep is a mystery of life. We still don’t understand why we sleep, although we are learning more about it every day. We do know good sleep is a condition of good of health. Six to eight hours of sleep per night seems to be the recommended amount of sleep for most adults. Too much or too little sleep can have adverse effects on your health. Sleep deprivation is a chronic condition and you might not realize you suffer from it. Here is some information you need to know about sleep deprivation.

Reasons Why Sleep Deprivation Can Increase Stress-Related Disorders

• It can dramatically weaken your immune system.
• Lack of sleep can cause a pre-diabetic condition, making you feel hungry even if you’ve already eaten.
• Sleep deprivation can impair your memory. A single night of poor sleep can impact you to think clearly the next day.
• People who are sleep deprived may also be at risk for heart disease, developing stomach ulcers, constipation and mood disorders like depression.

Suggestions to Enhance Sleep

• Sleep in complete darkness or as close to it as possible. Wear an eye mask to block out light, cover the light on your alarm clock, or get room-darkening blinds.
• It is recommended to keep the temperature in your bedroom no higher than 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Reserve your bed for sleeping. If you are used to watching TV or doing work in bed, you may find it harder to relax and drift off to sleep, so avoid doing these activities in bed.
• Consider separate bedrooms. If your partner is consistently interfering with your sleep, you may want to consider a separate bedroom.
• Take a hot bath, shower or sauna before bed. The temperature drop from getting out of the bath signals your body it’s time for bed.

What you do in preparation for bed is very important. In order to improve your sleep, you may need to modify some of your lifestyle choices, including diet and exercise or choosing a new mattress, especially if you suffer from chronic back and neck pain. Share with us on our social media if you suffer from sleep deprivation and how you have prepared to enhance your sleep.