Thirsty Thursday: sleep

It is no secret that we are living in a sleep deprived country. Most people I know brag about how little they sleep. In fact, my friends harp on me for taking a small nap during the day when Alec goes down. I feel I need it just as much as he does, but I take only a smaller amount (he goes for four hours, I go for 30 min.). It is true that I work on little sleep, but my poor body is feeling the tolls of shorter nights and longer days. I have found myself to be more irritable, tired, less energetic, more apt to watch television, and more likely to eat high fat/carbohydrated food. I would like to change that about myself. I am bringing you along for my sleep ride.

While doing some research, I found some interesting fact about sleep:

• Those who sleep fewer than six hours a night don't live as long as those who sleep seven hours or more.
• The National Commission on Sleep Disorders estimates that sleep deprivation costs $150 billion a year in higher stress and reduced workplace productivity.
• Getting the sleep that you need is likely to enhance your overall quality of life
• The more you invest in your sleep, the bigger return you will see in everything else that you do. Sleeping is your most valuable activity of the day.
  

These are just a few. I provided some links to check out on sleeping positives and negativies.

I decided a few months ago to try and sleep better. I covered all my windows in my bedroom with black fabric, made my room comfy and cozy, and made sure that all electronic equpment was turned off when I went to bed. I have been sleeping better, but my sleep still isn't satisfying to me. I decided to look online to see if there were a few things I was missing, and you know what, there were. At Sleep Education.com
I found that there were many things to do to get better rest. I didn't realize that there were different sleeping habits for women and men (which I find it hard to believe) but you should check them out for yourselves. I'm only going to post ones that are for women because I'm a woman. If you want to find out more, you will have to do a little of your own research.

• Make your bedroom a comfortable and safe place. Reduce noises and extreme temperatures that might disturb you.
• Use light and comfortable bed linens and garments.
• Go to bed only when you are sleepy and use the bed only for sleeping and sex.
• Begin rituals to help you relax at bedtime, such as taking a soothing bath or enjoying a light snack.
• Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, including weekends and holidays.
• If you need to take a nap, keep it to less than one hour and take it before 3 p.m.
• Only drink caffeine in the morning, and avoid alcohol and cigarettes late in the day.
• Stay away from fatty, spicy foods that are likely to upset your stomach or cause heartburn.
• Set aside time during the day to get all of your worries out of your system.
• Increase vitamin E in your diet, or take a vitamin E supplement.
• Hormone replacement therapy may help you sleep better by relieving severe hot flashes related to menopause. Ask your doctor for advice about this kind of treatment.
• Only use sleeping pills when supervised by a doctor.
• Talk to your doctor or a sleep specialist if you have an ongoing problem related to your sleep.

Happy Sleeping!