If you are an adult and you are not getting 7 or more hours of sleep every night, you could need a sleep consultation. While 7 hours minimum per night is recommended for a healthy well-being, in most states, greater than 30% of adults average less sleep than that, according to the CDC.
Short sleep duration directly links to obesity, physical inactivity and other health concerns. This issue should be addressed as soon as possible to have the best health outcomes long-term.
While sleep apnea and insomnia are two of the most prevalent sleep disorders, a variety of other habits and health-related issues could be causing sleep deprivation. Smoking and alcohol use are two of the biggest risk factors for sleep loss in addition to obesity and physical inactivity. Depression, arthritis, asthma, cancer and diabetes are other health conditions that have a high correlation with sleep loss.
Many people use one or more sleep aids per night in the form of medication or supplements (prescription or over the counter). While these aids are helpful in the short-term, they may not be as effective in the long-term. Even a prescription medication from the past may not be as effective as solutions now available.
If sleep loss is related to a health condition, a doctor can provide an effective treatment plan that will help increase your number of hours of sleep every night. If a sleep disorder is present, we can make recommended treatment options. While medication is effective, it may not be as effective without other lifestyle changes to accompany it.
Sleep deprivation is serious and could lead to disease, depression , stress, anxiety or even car accidents. While it is recommended that patients still visit for a sleep consultation, a few tips on getting more sleep may help in the meantime.
A bedtime routine can help the body prepare for a night of sleep. This could include a shower, relaxing music, a yoga routine, reading or an evening stroll.
Practice these activities every evening 30 minutes before bedtime.
Going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day may train the body to get into a sleep pattern
30 minutes of exercise per day is thought to help people gain an average of 14 more minutes of sleep per night
The bedroom should be cool at night with a suggested temperature of the mid-60s to 70 degrees Fahrenheit
Spend time outside during the day to develop a more accurate circadian rhythm
Avoid eating right before bed
Avoid napping during the day
Only use the bedroom for sleep to avoid associating it with being awake during the day
If you are still suffering from sleep loss and you try everything to get more sleep at night, consider scheduling an appointment to determine if you have a sleep disorder. We can use a sleep consultation to determine the cause of sleep loss and provide you with a solution to gain more sleep and live a healthier lifestyle every day.
Call (706) 608-4072 today to reach Athena Medical Clinic.
