Are you getting enough sleep? Doing so can really improve your focus and performance.
According to a Gallup Survey, fifty-nine percent of Americans get seven or more hours of sleep at night while 40% get less than seven hours.
I recently wrote a blog about getting focused and reaping the benefits of doing so. If you had a chance to read it, you may recall one of the ways to improve your focus is to get enough sleep. I believe this is such an important topic I thought it was worth exploring a bit more.
As an adult, the National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to function at your best while keeping your body and brain healthy. Most adults only get 5-6 hours of sleep, and the quality of what they do get is questionable. I got a wake up call about seven years ago when my father underwent heart surgery. Little did he know, he had sleep apnea which caused severe damage to his heart valve. Fortunately, surgery went well and my father recovered with flying colors. He now uses a c-pap machine nightly to ensure he receives enough oxygen to get a good night’s rest. If your partner complains of your snoring or hears you gasping for breath throughout the night, please get checked!
What are some things you can do to improve the quality of your sleep? Here is a list of tips I compiled and learned through the years you may find useful.
As a last resort, there are many supplements like melatonin you can take that are natural; although, it is best to avoid them if at all possible. My personal experience years past was they lose their effectiveness over a period of time and are no substitute for the other good practices listed above.
There are many other things you can do to improve your sleep, performance, and focus. I look forward to hearing some of your best practices. One thing for sure, the benefits of a good night's sleep are abundant. Your attitude and outlook are more positive while your risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and premature aging decrease dramatically. It can even help you control your appetite and maintain your ideal weight. All this leads to a happy productive lifestyle.
Good luck and rest well, Alan
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