Sleep: Are you getting enough?

Your household may not have a toddler keeping you up at night, but if you're with 80% of Americans, you're not getting enough sleep.  I've continued to struggle getting enough, and it's only going to be more difficult with one more on the way.  I welcome you to daydream as we highlight the value of regular, restful sleep.

American adults are currently averaging about 6.5 hours per night, while we should be getting between 7.5 - 9 hours.  More than 25% of adults are sleeping less than 6 hours.  Are you one of them?

Sleep helps to restore energy by balancing brain chemicals which control mood as well as provide an extended time of tissue repair.  Your mood and your muscles should improve with sleep.  Research has even shown wounds heal faster with appropriate sleep.

Reduced, irregular sleep can be dangerous to your health.  It is connected with sleep apnea, stroke, depression, and fibromyalgia--to name a few.  For many looking to return to a more optimal weight, sleep may be more important than any other activity you do in a day.

Sleep.  Regular, restful sleep.  How much are you getting?  It is hard to assess how much better your hormones, brain neurotransmitters and organs would function with more rest until you try it.  Why not make the next 4 weeks a diet of more sleep?