The general consensus is that adults need between 7 and 10 hours of sleep per night to maintain good health. That’s not 7-10 hours in bed; it is 7-10 hours of restful sleep. How are you doing? If you’re not getting enough sleep, you are probably not performing as well as you otherwise could during the day. Just think of what you could accomplish if you were sleeping better.
There are lots of ways to address sleeping problems. You can go the pharmaceutical route, getting a prescription from your doctor. But doctors are reluctant to prescribe sleeping pills long term because of their side effects. So most expert advice revolves around lifestyle changes:
- Exercising regularly
- Eating a healthy diet
- Finding ways to reduce stress
- Developing a good sleep routine
Yoga nidra expert and sleep meditation teacher Scott Moore recommends looking to eastern practices like yoga nidra. Combining yoga nidra with regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress reduction strategies can do wonders to improve sleep.
Too Many of Us Aren’t Sleeping Well
Data from the Sleep Foundation reveals that more than one-third of us aren’t getting enough sleep. Nearly half of all U.S. workers say being tired during the day is normal. Moreover, an estimated 70% say they are tired by the time their shifts end.
Even more revealing is the fact that 55% of America’s nurses report experiencing insomnia. An estimated 34% of active-duty service members report not sleeping enough. Finally, workplace errors and accidents related to sleep problems cost businesses a combined $31 billion annually.
Most of us don’t think an awful lot about the quality of our sleep. But numbers like these are enough to jar anyone. Imagine tens of billions of dollars being lost every year because employees are not getting enough sleep. Imagine being one of the patients whose nurses suffer from insomnia. It’s a scary proposition.
Fixing Sleep Problems Changes Everything
If you are among the millions who struggle to get enough quality sleep each night, let us talk about what fixing that problem could mean. Whether you go the yoga nidra route or do something else, making the necessary changes to ensure you get enough quality sleep every night will radically change your life.
1. You Will Think More Clearly
Adequate restful sleep maximizes brain function. With enough sleep, you will be able to concentrate better. You’ll find you are more productive; your problem-solving skills improve; you’ll find making decisions easier and you will not be as moody.
2. You Will Feel Better
Improving your sleep will ultimately mean feeling physically better as well. Adequate sleep strengthens the immune system. The result? You get sick less often. But let’s not stop there. Adequate sleep will help you maintain a healthy weight by regulating hunger hormones. And with enough sleep, you will lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other serious health problems.
3. You Will Have More Energy
Getting enough restful sleep every night translates into higher energy levels during the day. So you know all those activities you no longer do because you’re too tired? You can start doing them again. More energy will also make you feel more resilient. You will be less impacted by stress and more consistent in your desire to get things done.
Not getting enough restful sleep impacts everything you do during the day. If you’re having trouble sleeping, don’t just live with it. Find an expert who can help you solve the problem. Whether the solution is medication, exercise, or even yoga, getting a handle on your sleep problems is worthwhile.
