Digital Magazine Summer 2018

Healthy Living 2018

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4 Common Mistakes keeping you from a good night's sleep (BPT) - Do you wake up in the morning feeling tired, even if you went to bed early? Do you struggle to feel well rest- ed? Is it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep all night? You're not alone. Healthy adults generally need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, although sleep quality is just as important as sleep quantity. If your sleep is frequent- ly interrupted, you're not getting quality sleep. This can have a tremendous effect on your mental and physical health. To get a good night's rest, there are many things that often get overlooked. Mayo Clinic health experts weigh in on four of the most common mistakes that keep people from a good night's rest. 1. Ignoring sleep hygiene Sleep hygiene refers to your sleep lifestyle and the choices you make that either facilitate or restrict quality rest. Common lifestyle mistakes that often inhibit sleep include eating heavy meals before bed or drinking caffeine too late in the day. Additionally, establishing a sleep routine is essential for telling your mind and body it's time to rest. This includes going to bed at the same time each night and minimizing exposure to light at bedtime, especially the glow coming off your favorite tech- nology. Turn off media 30 minutes to an hour before bed so you can wind down and settle in. 2. Causes of insomnia Insomnia is defined as having problems getting to sleep or staying asleep three nights a week or more for at least three months. Some insomnia is due to med- ical issues, such as restless leg syn- drome and sleep apnea. Once medical causes are ruled out, it's important to look at habits that might be facilitating insomnia. One common mistake is peo- ple spend too much time doing things other than sleep in the bedroom. If you get into bed and don't fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and go to another room.

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