Sleep Geek here just returning from the National Sleep Foundation conference in Washington, D.C. As most of you know and understand, Americans are sleep deprived. Earlier this week, the Center for Disease Control and the National Sleep Foundation released a study that shows an estimated 50 to 70 million people suffer from chronic sleep loss and sleep disorders. Reasons range from back pain to restlessness to job stress. Add one more reason to the list Daylight Savings Time, when we turn the clocks ahead and lose one hour of sleep.
For a population that is already sleep deprived, the effects of losing even one hour of sleep can be detrimental putting people at risk for everything from a bad mood to a car accident. The loss of even one hour of sleep, especially the final hour, impacts how well people function throughout the day. People who are sleep deprived experience a negative affect on their mood, ability to focus, and risk their personal safety.
While people may understand the importance of getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night, not many people know that quality of sleep is equally as important as the length of time spent sleeping. Achieving quality sleep is easily within a person’s control. Here are a few tips to help you:
- Turn off TV and laptops to quiet your mind and remove light from the bedroom
- Avoid activities close to bedtime that impede sleep like exercising or eating
- Select a mattress that is supportive and will adjust to your comfort level
- Use comfortable pillows and bedding
Prepare for the time change to enjoy your week!
Sleep well,
Pete Bils
Sleep Number 25
