Sleeping With The Sandman

It seems that me and Mr. Sandman are two passing ships in the vast ocean of sleepdom.

I have many nights of non-sleep as I'm sure many of us do. Most of us know the importance of good sleep. U probably already know that its good for ur heart and that staying awake cause ur blood pressure to increase. U also probably know that getting a good nights sleep increases ur ability to react quicker, causing less accidents. U might also be aware of the fact u have less pain after a good nights sleep (though this varies with each individual situation). Not getting enough sleep can also cause some pain medications to be less effective. Getting enough sleep also helps in u being less irritated and cranky. Even the smallest thing can irritate a sleepy person thus making small things seem larger than what they truly are. Bet u might not know that those who dont get enough sleep are more likely to get colon or breast cancer. Thats a scary thought.

Not sleeping well brings ur immune system down causing u to be able to catch illnesses like a cold much easier. With a weakened immune system u can catch any virus easier. As our bodies tire, so do our eyes, so getting enough sleep helps ur eyes sight. Noone wants to have tunnel vision or even hallucinations. when we dont get enough sleep our brains become foggy and it is more likely we will make mistakes, some being life threatening. People become twice as likely to die in accidents from lack of sleep (research on 50,000 people in Sweden, according to Business Insider).

U will be more productive at work when u get enough sleep. Lack of sleep makes it harder to concentrate and focus causing mistakes to happen. Getting enough sleep also curbs migraines and other headaches. Staying awake to long can slur ur speech as if ya had a few to many alcoholic drinks. Some of this, if not all of it can lead u to make poor financial decisions, and who wants that? Getting plenty of sleep also helps give u younger, healthier skin. Poor sleep, depression, anxiety, and chronic skin problems all go together, so says research. Which leads to, people have better moods when they get enough sleep, which helps curb depression, anxiety and low self esteem. People who dont sleep well are more likely to develop Type2 diabetes even if they seem healthy. One study says that those that sleep less than 7 hours a day were more likely to be obese. (I for one dont believe this study, but say that less sleep could be a facture to weight gain, js) :)

Driving sleepy is like driving drunk, we all know this, so never drive when sleepy if possible. Have someone other than u drive. It's just safest for all in the long run. Those who get enough sleep learn better, showing improvements in their work. According to Business Insider: Your body uses most of the night (except when you are in REM sleep) to heal damage done to your cells and tissues when you are awake and more metabolically active. At the start of the night and during slow wave sleep, your body also releases growth hormone. Lack of sleep, on the other hand, is linked to muscle atrophy. Also, less sleep lowers ur libido, and that can suck for alot of people, js. :) Sleep ups testosterone levels which increases in both sexes. But mainly getting enough sleep ensures basic happiness through out ur day. But...how do we get to sleep if, like I said, Mr. Sandman trips and falls into the bushes of my window one night and knocks himself out? Lets check out a few ideas...

Sleep in a comfortable bed. Make sure the mattress is supportive. A mattress is no longer supportive if it is 9 years old. Have comfy pillows and make ur bedroom attractive, peaceful and a serene place to sleep. Keep allergens down with pillow covers that zip closed, a mattress cover, and dusting and vacuuming frequently.

Design ur bedroom and establish what u need for good sleep. Should ur bedroom be free of all noise, or what type of noise relaxes and soothes u? ur bedroom should be free of all harsh light, either have it completely dark or use very little light in the room. I have a strand of Christmas lights that go across my headboard.

We all know the benefits of exercising, well, of course it helps with sleep also. Vigorous exercise is great, but if u cant do that, light exercise works to, just anything really. Work to see which time of day is best to help u sleep.

Avoid naps, especially in the afternoon, they may be what is disrupting ur sleep at night. try a short quick power nap during the day if u need one, no more than 20 minutes long. But, if its disrupting the sleep u should be getting in the evening, eliminate them from ur day.

Make urself a sleep schedule. Make the same bedtime and wake up time for every day and stick with it. This helps regulate ur bodys internal REM clock and helps u sleep through the night.

Theres my info for u all today, hope u enjoyed the read and that some of these basic ideas can help u and Mr. Sandman find each other! Happy sleeping my smexy peeps! -Muah-