World Sleep Day

Today is World Sleep Day.  The goal of the day is to spread awareness of the importance of sleep for each of us.  It also calls out common sleep-related issues that many of us share.

For you as an adult, it is best to get at least seven hours of sleep a night according to the Mayo Clinic.

As an aging adult it can get more difficult for you to get those recommended hours of sleep. This can cause issues with your health or even with your driving.

Some common sleep disorders are:

Insomnia – you are not able to fall asleep easily or you may wake up during the night.

Sleep Apnea – your breathing is affected.  You have uneven breathing patterns that disrupt your sleep.

Restless Leg Syndrome – your legs do not want to stay still in bed.  At times this can happen before you get into bed.

Narcolepsy – You fall asleep, sometimes suddenly, because you get so sleepy.

Sleep is important for us all because it’s a time when our bodies relax and regenerate.  There are ways to help you work towards better sleep patterns.

1. Stick to a sleep schedule.  Make your bedtime and wake up time consistent.
2. Watch what you eat or drink.  Try not to drink too much alcohol and don’t eat too late.
3. Keep your room at a cool temperature, on the darker side and quiet.
4. Try to avoid daytime naps.  This can disrupt your nighttime sleeping.
5. Be physically active during the day but not too close to bedtime.  
6. Manage your stress.  You cannot and should take care of anything while you are asleep.

Private Home Health Care works with people who have trouble sleeping.  Sharing information about sleep-related issues and getting in touch with a medical professional can help.  Bonne nuit!