How many hours of sleep are you getting each night? If you said five or six hours, you aren’t getting the quality sleep your body and mind require to function effectively. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Fountain City wants you to start getting the sleep you need—and deserve—starting tonight! And what better time to talk about obtaining a better night’s sleep than Better Sleep Month this May?
Poor Sleep = Poor Health
Waking up on the wrong side of the bed doesn’t just affect your mood. Many aspects of your overall health can suffer if you don’t get enough quality sleep every night. Take a look at some ways your health can be affected by sleep deprivation:
- A weakened immune system
- Higher risk of stroke
- Memory
- Increased risk of cancer
- Weight gain
Get a Better Night’s Sleep ASAP
Not interested in the weight gain or additional health risks associated with not getting enough quality sleep? We don’t blame you. Start getting a good night’s sleep more often than not by:
Listening to Your Gut
Watch how much you eat or drink right before bed. When your stomach is full, your body thinks it needs to be up and working on breaking down what you ate like it does during the day. However, what your body really needs is sleep. Because of this, it’s best to stop eating at least an hour or two before bed. And because drinking liquids often leads to more middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks, you may want to limit what you’re drinking, too.
Creating a Bedtime Routine for the Whole Family
You need to establish a bedtime routine for your entire family. Children are not the only ones who can benefit from a set routine. As adults, it can be easy to find yourself staying up late, finishing up a project or catching up on DVR’ed shows that you missed. But this isn’t good for you—and your body and mind will suffer the next day. Therefore, establish a routine that you can follow each night that will allow you to wind down and fall asleep at around the same time. Your health and productivity will thank you!
Setting the Temperature to Sleep Mode
You want to make sure you set the temperature just right at night so that you are able to rest soundly without getting too hot or cold. Experts recommend setting the thermostat between 60 and 68 degrees for optimal sleep. A rough night’s sleep, or something more? Visit AFC Urgent Care Fountain City today to make sure your sleep isn’t suffering because another health condition is standing in the way.
