Getting Enough Sleep

Getting Enough Sleep: Overview
Everyone needs to get enough sleep. We've all heard it before. Sleep helps keep your mind and your body healthy!

How much sleep do I need?
Most adults need 7-8 hours of good quality sleep on a regular schedule every night, where teens need 8-10 hours. Make changes to your routine if you can't find enough time to sleep.

Getting enough sleep isn't only about the total hours of sleep you get. It's also important to get good quality sleep on a regular schedule so you always feel rested when you wake up. If you often have trouble sleeping, or if you don't feel well-rested after sleeping -- talk with your doctor.

Health Benefits

Why is getting enough sleep important?
Getting enough sleep has many benefits. It can help you:

- Get sick less often
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Lower your risk for serious health problems, like diabetes and heart disease
- Reduce stress and improve your mood
- Think more clearly and do better in school and at work
- Get along better with people (less moody)
- Make good decisions and avoid injuries -- for example, sleepy drivers cause thousands of car accidents every year

Sleep Schedule

Does it matter when I sleep?
Yes! Your body sets your "biological clock" according to the pattern of daylight where you live. This helps you naturally get sleepy at night and stay alert during the day.

If you have work at night and sleep during the day, you may have trouble getting enough sleep. It can also be hard to sleep when you travel to a different time zone (jet lag)

Trouble Sleeping

Why can't I fall asleep?
Many things can make it harder for you to sleep, including:

- Stress
- Pain
- Certain health conditions, like heartburn or asthma
- Some medications
- Caffeine (usually from coffee, tea, and sodas)
- Alcohol and other drugs
- Untreated sleep disorders, like sleep apnea or insomnia

If you are having trouble sleeping, try making changes to your routine to get the sleep you need. You may want to:

- Change what you do during the day -- for example, exercise in the morning instead of at night
- Create a good sleep environment, which includes making sure your bedroom is dark and quiet
- Set a bedtime routine -- and go to bed at the same time every night

I hope this was helpful for some of you, especially if you suffer from sleep problems like me. I ignored these tips for the longest time, just because I'm stubborn, but when I finally started making these simple changes, I noticed a big difference in just a few nights.

Wishing a good night's sleep to everyone out there struggling with it!

Best wishes!