Squeeze in More Sleep!

Sleep! Sleep is so important for our physical and mental health. It impacts learning, problem solving, immune response, appetite, and heart health among others. We all know sleep is important, but it can be the first thing many busy people squeeze out of their schedules. The National Sleep Foundation recommends between 7-9 hours of sleep a night per night. Sleep deficiency has been linked to obesity, heart and kidney disease, high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, and stroke. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, try some of these simple tips to create healthier sleeping habits!

1. Make Your Bedroom Comfortable and Relaxing – think quality mattress and bedding, quiet and dark space, pleasant aromas, temperature (~65 degrees)

2. Create a Daily Sleep Schedule by setting a fixed wake- up time, budgeting time to sleep, and napping appropriately ( early afternoon for ~ 20 minutes)

3. Design a 30 minute Pre-Bed routine. Put away electronic devices and figure out a way to wind down by reading, listening to music, or stretching.