"Getting enough sleep is as important for your body as eating right, exercising, and practicing good dental hygiene.” Harvard Medical Journal
Do you commit to getting adequate sleep every day? Is getting adequate sleep a priority in your daily plan, or do you just let it happen, in other words, you go to sleep whenever you feel like it, and you get up when you have to? Adequate sleep is as important as the other core values of good health: proper eating, getting enough exercise, and practicing good dental practices. We all have different circadian rhythms (the natural oscillation of your body over 24 hours), therefore your ideal time to go to sleep is most likely not the same as someone else. Knowing your own circadian rhythm is your first step to establishing a productive sleep plan. Study your energy, mental and physical state over the day to determine your circadian cycle. Once understood, commit to a consistent sleep schedule. Go to bed at approximately the same time and wake up at the same time. If your job or lifestyle requires you to stay up later than preferred or to get up earlier than desired, adjust your sleep schedule to get at least 8 hours of bed time which will actually generate approximately 7 hours of actual sleep time (if you are lucky). How you start your bedtime is also critical; eliminate any stimulus activity, such as social media, TV etc. at least 30 minutes prior to bedtime in order to give yourself a chance to get adequate sleep. Make a commitment to a sleep plan and take this plan as seriously as your diet plan, exercise plan and dental habits and you will be on your way to better health.