Not getting a good night’s rest can affect everything from your mood to your energy level. Sleep is, after all, one of the three components of a healthy lifestyle. Quality sleep is vital for your physical and mental health. It also strengthens your immune system, helps you maintain a healthy weight, and keeps you alert and engaged. So, what steps can you take to improve your sleep?
There are three main keys to achieving and maintaining healthy sleep.
- The first is quantity. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep per night for optimal health and productivity.
- The second is quality. Sleeping seven hours each night isn’t enough, you also need quality of sleep. Avoid common sleep disruptors in the evening such as alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco. Talk with a provider if you’re taking a medication that disrupts your sleep.
- Last is regularity. It’s very important to sleep at the right time. Healthy sleep is part of the daily rhythm of life. Your body sleeps best at night when it’s dark. It also functions best when you keep a regular routine. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
The quantity, quality, and regularity of sleep can be disrupted if you have sleep disorder. Talk to your provider if you have an ongoing problem that prevents you from sleeping well.