Getting enough sleep has been shown to have numerous benefits for your health, happiness and performance at work. However, the average person only gets about six hours of sleep each night. That’s not enough! In fact, most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night to function at optimal levels. Sleep is also a key component in staying healthy, both physically and mentally.
Sleep deprivation has been linked to poor decision-making, mood fluctuations, impaired memory, weight gain and more. That’s why it’s important to get enough sleep so you can perform at your peak throughout the day. If you’re not sure how much sleep you should be getting, keep reading for some helpful tips about how much sleep you should get every night as well as some lesser known benefits of sleep you might not know about.
What is the best way to get enough sleep?
The best way to get enough sleep is to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. While it may seem like common sense, many people don’t get enough sleep simply because they’re not consistent with their sleep schedule. You should aim to get the recommended amount of sleep for your age group.
For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people between the ages of 18 and 64 get about seven hours of sleep each night. If you’re over the age of 65, you should ideally get about eight hours of sleep each night. There are a few ways to make sure you get the right amount of sleep every night.
Go to bed at the same time every night
One of the best ways to get enough sleep is to go to bed at the same time every night. Going to bed at the same time every night will help you to fall asleep faster, which means you’ll get more sleep overall. It’s also important to avoid all screen time for at least an hour before bed.
Studies show that watching television or using a computer before bed can interfere with your ability to fall asleep, which results in you being more tired the next day. This is due to the blue light emitted from electronic devices that tricks your brain into thinking it’s daytime.
Make your bedroom sleep-friendly
Another way to make sure you get enough sleep is to make your bedroom sleep-friendly. This means making sure your room is as dark and quiet as possible. It should also be a comfortable temperature for sleeping. Your room should also be free of distractions like electronics, pets and loud noises. Y
You can help to create a sleep-friendly environment by removing all electronics and other items that might cause distractions. You can also use earplugs if you need to drown out any noises in your room.
Try a bedtime ritual
Another way to get enough sleep is to make a bedtime ritual. This could include reading a book, listening to music or using an app on your phone to create white noise. Another option is to try writing in a journal or meditate. Journaling has been shown to help people reduce anxiety, stress and improve their overall mood. Meditation has also been shown to have numerous mental health benefits. It can also help to clear your mind and make you more rested so you can go to bed earlier.
Don’t drink alcohol before bed
Finally, it’s important to note that you should not drink alcohol before bed. Alcohol can disrupt your sleep cycle and cause you to wake up more often. This can make it difficult to get enough sleep, which can have serious long-term consequences. Alcohol consumption has been linked to many negative health outcomes, including high blood pressure, obesity and heart disease.
Final Thoughts on Getting Enough Sleep
The bottom line is that getting enough sleep is essential to your health and well-being. If you want to perform at your best, you need to make sure you get enough sleep every night. There are many ways to make sure you get enough sleep, including going to bed at the same time every night and making your bedroom sleep-friendly. Additionally, don’t drink alcohol before bed. It can disrupt your sleep cycle and make it more difficult to get enough rest.
