Sleep and Wellness
Sleep is a natural state of rest that is vital for good health and wellness, and it is an anabolic process that allows the body to restore and heal itself. During sleep, we replenish depleted energy levels and allow the brain, muscles, organs, and various body tissues to repair themselves. Sleep is an important part of overall health and well being, and when you don't get enough sleep you are slow, vacant and lacking focus much like a zombie. A lack of sleep contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep during the daytime and can increase your risk for injuries while driving to and from work or school, or while engaging in sports or other activities that require you to pay careful attention to detail. Being well rested not only reduces your risk for injury, but can help to increase the quality of your performance at school, work, sports, and for many other activities. Sleep is weakens the immune system, impairs mental function, and has a negative impact on physical, social, academic, and job performance. The United States is a sleep-deprived nation and lack of sleep is consider as the second biggest barrier to academic success because it affects people stress levels, mood, memory, behavioral patterns, and cognitive performance. College students sleep issues as a top health concern as well, and poor sleep habits can develop in high school, follow you to college and continue into adulthood. Everyone is busy, putting school, work, family obligations and fun before sleep. But the reality is that most adults need at least seven to eight hours of interrupted sleep each night. Stress wise, getting to bed too late often leads to over sleeping, napping, missing classes, poor grades and distress. Compounding the problem is staying up late Friday and Saturday nights and crashingthe next day. Doing so further disrupts the circadian rhythm, the biological clock that controls the daily sleep-wake schedule. Getting good, quality sleep on a regular basis helps your body to repair from all the stressors it is exposed to, which also strengthens your immune system. This can help your body to fight off colds, flu and other infections, while also reducing your risk for various diseases. A good night's sleep can help you relax by lowering your blood pressure and levels of stress hormones, and it can also help you to cope better with future stressful life events. To improve your sleep pattern, you need to exercise discipline and avoid staying up late to watch a movie or leaving your homework or studying for an exam at thelast minute. As busy as you are, your health and well-being is your most important assets, and you only live once. Try to avoid drinks that contain caffeine, which acts as a stimulant and keeps people awake. Sources of caffeine include coffee, chocolate, soft drinks, non-herbal teas, diet drugs, and some pain relievers. Smokers tend to sleep very lightly and often wake up in the early morning due to nicotine withdrawal, and alcohol may help you get to sleep but it can interfere with deep sleep.
http://www.sleep-wellness.org/
http://www.sleep-wellness.org/