THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP
The importance of adequate sleep cannot be overstated. Sleep has many effects on a variety of aspects of our health. The way you feel awake has a link to what kind of sleep you get at night. Poor sleeping habits can lead to an acute sudden incident, such as a car crash due to a tired driver, or chronic problems over the long term such as a number of health issues.
Research has shown up to 40% of Americans are sleep deprived. This causes many issues in the workplace and at home while completing tasks. For example, driver sleepiness is a factor in about 100,000 car accidents each year, resulting in about 1,500 deaths. Studies have also shown that sleep deprivation can significantly reduce workers’ reaction time, motor control, decision-making ability, and situational awareness. This creates an unsafe condition where a worker, or a whole jobsite, is exposed to a potential incident that could cause injury.
Sleep and Your Health
(source: www.nih.gov)
It affects your ability to learn and remember new information.
It affects your ability to pay attention.
It affects your heart and cardiovascular system. There is a link between long-term sleep deficiencies and heart disease.
It affects how your body reacts to insulin. Sleep deficiency leads to higher blood sugar levels; leaving you at a higher chance to be diagnosed with diabetes.
Tips to be Well Rested
Get at least seven hours of sleep. Studies vary on exactly how much each person needs, but the consensus is between six and eight hours.
Shut your TV off and place your phone face down. Blue light and other light sources can disrupt your sleep.
Avoid naps during the day. Naps can throw off your internal clock for rest at night. If napping is a must during the day keep it under 20 minutes.
Keep your room between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the range that is best for sleeping conditions for most people.
Go to bed and wake up at the same time every night. This keeps your internal clock on track and your body gets into a routine.