Good Night’s Rest May Be Easier Than You Think
When night comes, do you find it difficult to drift off to a restful slumber? Do you find yourself reaching over to grab your smartphone, getting up to go to the restroom, or pumping your pillow for extra fluff? You are far from the only one.
One third of adults in the U.S.(and similar numbers in many places around the globe) have trouble getting the recommended amount of sleep every night. For adults, the recommended amount of sleep is 7 or more hours per night. Why do we have so much trouble catching enough winks? There may be numerous factors involved. But the good news is that treating and resolving insomnia and sleep-deprivation is easier than you think.
Don’t Be Afraid To Get Help
One of the reasons for such a strong prevalence for sleep deprivation is because common wisdom does not recognize that it can be linked to numerous health conditions. And why do you need to get medical professionals involved if they have enough cases to treat without worrying about people getting enough zzzs.
However, just simple medical assistance can be surprisingly effective. In one study, researchers found a simple two-week exercise of self sleep monitoring followed by a single medical consultation resulted in the greatest long-term success for subjects. Put aside those fears of multiple nights being tied to wires and hospital beds. Finding resolve from sleeplessness has never been easier. (Of course, more extensive follow-up may be needed if it is found someone has a common condition like sleep apnea or others).
Sleep Apps and Effective Home Habits
New smart technologies and online resources are creating a whole new scene for aid with sleeplessness. While no smart device can take the place of a medical professional, sleep apps have been found highly effective to help block out noise at bedtime, ease stress, deliver calm, and even change some negative sleep habits. While sleep apps often lack substantial empirical validation or currently may not commingle well with medical professionals, they can still serve as amazing secondary tools in the battle against insomnia.
Changing habits can also be effective for a better night’s rest. Avoid heavy meals or strenuous activity in the hours up to sleep. At the same time, a regular exercise routine during the day can also lead to better nighttime rest. Overuse of electronic and smart devices can be detrimental to sleep, so try limiting these before bed. And just practicing good sleep hygiene — including keeping a regular sleep schedule, using high-quality sleep mattresses and pillows, and putting yourself in the optimum mood to rest before sleep — can be critical. Getting a good night’s rest is similar to maintaining a healthy body weight or blood pressure. While many factors are outside of one’s control, maximizing the factors that are within one’s control can make a world of difference.
A Good Night’s Rest Is Right Around the Corner
If night time finds you pounding your pillow harder, pacing the floors, raiding the refrigerator, or starting to operate in daytime mode then rest assured that a better night’s rest need not be too far away. Consulting a doctor or medical professional is generally beneficial, and may prove to be less agonizing that commonly thought. Additionally, just practicing good sleep habits and hygiene may bring suprising resolutions. Worry not, you are not alone in your sleep troubles. You are closer to getting a full night’s rest than you think, which will simultaneously help you be more fully engaged in your waking life.
