Improving Sleep: A Guide to a Good Night's Rest
Source: Copyright © 2008 Harvard Health Publications | Date Posted: October 1, 2007
In-Depth Report
Improving Sleep: A guide to a good night's rest
Some nights, sleep comes easily, and you sail through the night in a satisfying slumber. Waking up after a night of good sleep feels wonderful — you're refreshed, energized, and ready to take on the world. Other nights, sleep comes slowly or not until the wee hours. Or you may fall asleep, only to awaken throughout the night.
If you have trouble sleeping, you're not alone. Almost everyone occasionally suffers from short-term insomnia. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 60 million Americans a year have insomnia frequently or for extended periods of time. About half of all people over 65 have frequent sleeping problems, and an estimated 40 million Americans have a chronic sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, or narcolepsy. We pay a high price for all the sleep deprivation caused by sleep problems. For example:
Insufficient sleep is directly linked to poor health, with research suggesting it increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and even premature death. Even a few nights of bad sleep can be detrimental.
The combination of sleep deprivation and driving can have deadly consequences. A 2006 review by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences found that almost 20% of all serious car accidents and 57% of fatal accidents are associated with driver sleepiness.
Sleep deprivation played a role in catastrophes such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill off the coast of Alaska, the space shuttle Challenger explosion, and the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island.
Sleep problems affect virtually every aspect of day-to-day living, including mood, mental alertness, work performance, and energy level. Yet few Americans seek treatment for their sleep problems. If you aren't getting your share of sleep, you needn't fumble about in a fog of fatigue. This report describes the complex nature of sleep, the latest in sleep research, the factors that can disturb sleep, and, most importantly, what you can do to get the sleep you need for optimal health, safety, and well-being.
Review Date: 2007-10-01
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