Tapping Into Your Circadian Rhythm For Better Sleep
Sleep well, function better
Sleep. The magic word. If you’re a sound sleeper, it might not be your magic word, but for 70 million people in the US — sleep is the often unattainable magic word.
So what’s the deal with sleep? Why do we need it? How does it impact us? How can we improve it? Here’s the ultimate guide to sleep — how you can sleep soundly, optimize your performance, and achieve true circadian health.
An epidemic of sleeplessness
According to the CDC, adults need at least seven hours of sleep per night for optimal health and wellbeing. However, more than a third of US adults don’t get enough sleep and 164 million Americans struggle with sleep at least one night a week.
A lack of sleep is associated with an increased risk of developing a number of chronic conditions like obesity, anxiety, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and heart disease, amongst others.
Poor sleep can cause a range of serious health problems. A study published in 2009 asked participants to stay awake for 19 hours. The researchers discovered significant decreases in the reaction time of the participants, as well as decreases in their attention span, accuracy, and memory recall.
