Make This Your New Year's Resolution

Dec 31, 2020

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I’m sure you’ve heard that most adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night to function optimally.  Not surprisingly, most people do not get nearly that amount on a regular basis.  Here are some reasons you may want to make more (and more restorative) sleep your resolution for 2021:

- Sleep deprivation (even an hour less than that magical 7 – 8 hours) impairs your memory “inbox”

- Adequate sleep (yes, 7 – 8 hours) allows your brain to transfer information from short-term memory to long-term memory

- Adequate sleep before you learn prepares your brain to absorb new information

- Adequate sleep after you learn allows your brain to “save” information

- Sleeping less than the recommended 7 – 8 hours per night results in a significant drop in immune health (up to 70%!) and an increased stress response in our bodies

For those who plan to “catch up” on sleep later, experts say that catching up is not really possible.  While our bodies occasionally bounce back from a sleep deficit, habitual sleep loss may lead to a shorter life span, hence the saying -- "The shorter you sleep, the shorter your life."

Tips for better sleep:

1. Keep regular waking and sleeping times

2. A cool room is better for sleeping

3. Create a sleep-time routine, which includes powering down electronics an hour before sleep

4. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and heavy food before bed

Happy New Year and Sweet Dreams!