Sleep & Your Healh
You’re tired. You could put your head down on a desk right now and fall asleep immediately. You went to bed late last night, had trouble falling asleep and woke up too early. And let’s not kid ourselves. Reality is quite different. Sleep is often one of the first things to go when people feel pressed for time. Many view sleep as a luxury and think that the benefits of limiting the hours they spend asleep outweigh the costs. People often overlook the potential long-term health consequences of insufficient sleep, and the impact that health problems can ultimately have on one’s time and productivity.
National Sleep Awareness Week
March has been designated National Sleep Awareness Month. One part of sleep awareness is knowing how our sleep may be affected by changes in the environment. The National Sleep Awareness Week this year emphasizes dangers such as drowsy driving, stress, anger and road rage. But the dangers of sleep deprivation go far beyond these visible risks. Sleep deprivation can, in fact, undermine all areas of your physical and mental health. Sleep deprivation weakens the immune system leaving us more susceptible to other diseases and disorders like diabetes, cancer and even the common cold.
Daylight Savings Time & Your Health
Millions of Americans welcomed an extra hour of sleep this past weekend as they turn back their clocks for the end of Daylight Savings Time. But the time change may take a toll on health in a number of ways. Changing to daylight saving time may give people an hour less more of sunlight, but it appears that their internal body clocks never really adjusts to the change, German researchers report. In fact, daylight saving time can cause a significant seasonal disruption that might have other effects on our bodies.
Tips for Power Napping
Whether you think you need daytime rest or not, picking up a nap habit—or continuing to make time for one—is a smart, healthy move. Consider the evidence: The Mayo Clinic says naps promote relaxation, reduced fatigue, better mood and alertness, and a sharper-working mind (better memory, less confusion, fewer mistakes). A 2008 British study found that compared to getting more nighttime sleep or guzzling caffeine, a mid-day nap was the best way to cope with the mid-afternoon slump. People who napped regularly had a 37 percent reduced risk of dying from heart disease compared to people who didn’t nap.
Destress Your Life: Tips For Healthier & Serene Life
The gloomy days of January can be the most miserable and stressful of the year, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Imagine living in serenity. It is possible if you make few changes to your life. It can be easy if you let it be. Laughter is the best way to start. Laughter is great for your health. It is good for your heart and your blood pressure. Laughter feels good too. Try to see the fun in your life and spend more time laughing.
25 Infographics & Research Studies to Learn About Sleep & Your Health
If you’ve changed your clock this March to compensate for Daylight Savings Time, did you notice a change in your sleep patterns? Research has shown that it won’t have much effect on your health other than making you a bit groggy. But, if you lose too much sleep, your immune system suffers, and you’re more susceptible to colds and viral infections. In the following 25 research studies that focus on sleep and your health, you’ll learn why napping is good — sometimes — and why a steady sleep pattern is best for your health.