

SLEEP AWARENESS MONTH
Ahhhh, sleep! Restful, peaceful and restorative slumber is something we all crave. Have you ever noticed how refreshed you feel after a good night’s sleep? Not surprisingly, many of us have issues that prevent us from getting the full night’s sleep that we need to feel rested. Quality sleep is necessary for the body to recover, detox and rejuvenate each night and when we don’t get a solid night’s rest, our health can suffer.
With the return of Daylight Save Time this month, many people will experience disrupted sleep. While it seems minor, a one hour change in the local time can rather dramatically affect folks’ sleep-wake cycles for several days.
SLEEP HYGIENE
There are several things you can do to create a restful environment conducive to a good night’s sleep. Practicing effective sleep hygiene is part of a healthy lifestyle, much like exercising and eating a well-balanced diet. Making a few simple changes can quickly help you to feel refreshed and ready to face another day. Incorporate the following tips, as appropriate:
BARRIERS TO SLEEP
There are several sleep disorders and conditions that impact your quality of sleep. Some sleep disorders can be serious, but anything that prevents you from getting restful sleep most nights is a cause for concern. Here is a short list of some of the main reasons for sleep problems:
WHEN TO SEEK HELP
If you are experiencing anything more challenging than occasional sleep challenges, you may want to make an appointment with your doctor to eliminate a more serious condition. Your physician may order a sleep study which may provide insight to help you get back to having a good night’s sleep on a regular basis.