A sleep disorder as any difficulties related to sleeping,
including: * difficulty falling or staying asleep, * falling
asleep at inappropriate times, * excessive total sleep time, or
* abnormal behaviors associated with sleep.
The value of a good night's sleep can hardly be overestimated.
Quality sleep enables your body and mind to perform optimally
each day. Sleep helps to restore and rejuvenate your memory
processes, energize your nervous and immune systems, and
stimulate overall growth and development. Without enough sleep
you will likely: * experience increased difficulty
concentrating, learning, and remembering things * become less
able to perform simple tasks and complex tasks may become
seemingly impossible * become anxious, moody, and impatient, and
notice increased difficulties during interaction and cooperation
with others. Sleep problems may already be interfering with your
daily life. If so it is time to find out what is keeping you
from getting the sleep you need, whether it be poor sleep
hygiene, insomnia or a more serious sleep disorder. To help you
on your way to getting a good night's sleep, there are many
things you can do to reduce your risk of developing a sleep
disorder. By making small changes, you can greatly improve the
quality of your sleep and thereby the overall quality of your
mental and physical well-being. If you find that you currently
practice or experience one or more of the following risk
factors, you may want to consider making changes to your
lifestyle or consulting with your doctor to learn how you can
improve your health: * poor sleep environment (i.e., noisy or
brightly lit) * excessive caffeine or alcohol intake * use of
certain medications and drugs * smoking or chewing tobacco *
anxiety, depression, or other mood disorder * stressful
situation such as death of a loved one or job pressure *
counter-productive sleep routine * daytime napping * early or
late-night bed times * traveling between time zones * shift
workers with rotating schedules * physical illness * obesity
Tips for a better sleep environment * Make sure your bed is
large enough and comfortable. If you are disturbed by a restless
bedmate, switch to a queen- or king-size bed. Test different
types of mattresses. Try therapeutic shaped foam pillows that
cradle your neck or extra pillows that help you sleep on your
side. Get comfortable cotton sheets. * Make your bedroom
primarily a place for sleeping. It is not a good idea to use
your bed for paying bills, doing work, etc. Help your body
recognize that this is a place for rest or intimacy. * Keep your
bedroom peaceful and comfortable. Make sure your room is well
ventilated and the temperature consistent. And try to keep it
quiet. * Hide your clock. A big, illuminated digital clock may
cause you to focus on the time and make you feel stressed and
anxious. Place your clock so you can't see the time when you are
in bed.
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