Sleepless in Rockford!!

So I haven’t been getting much sleep because of the extensive work I am doing in preparing to open my practice, study for my PhD program, breast feed a 5 month old growing baby, and run my six year old around town. My body is wearing down! I know the importance of getting adequate sleep and how the lack of this precious commodity can have rippling effects on one’s body. I know! I know!

In our modern world of high tech-technology, busy busy busy, and always on the go, many Americans are suffering from a lack of sleep. According to the CDC “Sleep is increasingly recognized as important to public health, with sleep insufficiency linked to motor vehicle crashes, industrial disasters, and medical and other occupational errors.” Not to mention that a deficiency of sleep can cause immune suppression, weight gain, chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, depression along with mood disorders, and a sleuth of other conditions that are reversible with the appropriate modification.

Here are a few tips on proper sleep hygiene

1) Make sure you turn off your cell phone and TV at least an hour before bed. Blue light causes an increased sleep latency.

2) Make sure the room is the appropriate temperature. Our body senses heat changes and goes into a slumber when there is a drop in temperature. Therefore, the cooler, the better.

3) Empty your mind of thoughts before bed. I usually keep a journal by the bed and meditate before sleeping. This calms my spirit and allows for a more peaceful sleep.

4) Make sure the room is appropriately darkened. Melatonin, a natural hormone in the body, increases with darkness and allows for decreased sleep latency.

5) Don’t forget to thank God for the day and His many blessings. A spirit of gratitude before bed will most definitely have positive effects on the quality of sleep.

PAZ A TI!!