Years ago, before the invention of the light bulb, people slept an average of 10 hours per night; today (according to 2002 Sleep in America Poll) Americans sleep an average of 6.9 hrs on weeknights and 7.5 hrs per night on weekends.
How Much Sleep Do You Need?
Exactly how much sleep you need varies from person to person, but experts agree on average, 7 to 9 hours should be sufficient. What about children? Preschoolers (ages 3-5) need 11 to 13 hours, school age children (up to 12) need 10 to 11 hours, and adolescents need 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep each night.
Sleep is a necessity for our bodies to restore and replenish itself, for example, important hormones are secreted, blood pressure is lowered, kidney functions change and memory is consolidated, just to name a few. Not to mention, poor sleep habits leave us feeling tired, sleepy, and sometimes just outright exhausted. When we talk about a good nights sleep we mean comfortable, undisrupted, sound sleeping, so when we awake we feel rested, alert and ready for a new day.
Tips for getting a good night sleep:
Routine
Having a set bedtime and allowing an hour or so before bedtime to relax.
Relax
Turn off the television, listen to calm music or read a book.
Environment
Make your bedroom a comfortable place to sleep.
Comfortable
A quiet, cool and dark bedroom is the best for sleeping.
Exercise
Exercising will help you sleep if done at least three hours earlier.
Eating
Try not to eat at least 2-3 hours before bedtime.
Mattress
Make sure your mattress is suited for your needs, and not worn out.
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