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SHIP : sleephabits

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Sleep Habits
 
Why are healthy sleep habits important?
 
We spend approximately a third of our lives sleeping.
 
Sleep is important for several reasons. Sleep provides time for your brain to create new pathways needed for memory and learning. Sleep also allows time for your body to release hormones essential for development and growth. Tissue growth and repairs and the restoration of energy also occur during sleep. Restorative sleep helps you feel alert, supports a healthy immune system, and helps regulate your appetite. More information about the importance of sleep can be found HERE.
 
Too little sleep can lead to increased risk of disease, such as obesity, diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.[1],[2]
 
How much sleep do we need?
 
Sleep needs change throughout the lifecycle. Generally, most adults require between 7.5 and 8.5 hours of sleep per 24-hour cycle. Assess your sleep needs HERE.
 
What are healthy sleep habits?[3],[4]  
 
      • Regular sleep schedule
      • Keeping a sleep environment that is cool, comfortable, and dark
      • Establishing a pre-sleep routine
      • Avoid working and watching television in the bedroom
      • Remove cellphones, laptops, and other electronics from the bedroom
      • Exercise regularly
      • Avoid caffeine close to bedtime
 
Read about more healthy sleep habits HERE.  
 
Learn more about adopting healthy sleep habits HERE. 

[1]Qureshi AI, Giles WH, Croft JB, Bliwise DL. 1997. Habitual sleep patterns and risk for stroke and coronary heart disease: a 10-year follow-up from NHANES I. Neurology, 48(4): 904-910.
[2] US Department of Health and Human Services. Your guide to healthy sleep. Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/yg_slp.htm . Accessed on January 5, 2012.
[3] National Sleep Foundation. Annual sleep in America poll exploring connections with communications technology use and sleep.  http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/press-release/annual-sleep-america-poll-exploring-connections-communications-technology-use-. Accessed on January 13, 2012.
[4] National Sleep Foundation. Healthy sleep tips. http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/healthy-sleep-tips. Accessed on January 9, 2012.