Solutions
for a More Peaceful Night's Sleep
Most do not get the recommended eight hours
of sleep required for good health, safety and optimum
performance.
During stressful times -- such as the loss of a loved
one, a change in job status or a serious illness --
the numbers of those who suffer from sleep deficiency
can be even greater. Ironically, this is the time
when a good night's sleep is even more important to
facilitate recovery and healing.
The following suggestions may ensure a more peaceful
and restorative night's sleep for the entire household.
Struggling for Much-Needed Rest
People who suffer from anxiety often have difficulty
falling asleep, wake up frequently during the night,
arise too early in the morning, or experience unrefreshing
sleep. These symptoms of insomnia are fueled by stress,
grief, worry and disrupted sleep schedules.
One solution to combating insomnia is to create a
restful sleep environment in every bedroom in the
house. This includes keeping the temperature cool,
the light dim and the bed comfortable.
Choosing a good mattress can make a difference in
the quality of sleep you get at night and the way
you feel during the day. Most people do not realize
that their bed can be preventing them from sleeping
well and, in some cases, keeping them awake.
Insomniacs might consider alternative sleep surfaces
to improve their sleep. One alternative is the Sleep
Number Bed by Select Comfort with adjustable firmness
and individualized comfort levels. In studies conducted
at Stanford University and Duke University, participants
fell asleep faster and experienced better quality,
more restorative sleep on the Sleep Number bed than
on a traditional innerspring mattress. Stanford University
researchers also found that 87 percent of those who
slept on the Sleep Number bed experienced a greater
percentage of REM sleep with fewer disturbances.
Insomnia can be a forerunner of depression and other
health-related problems, so it is important to seek
a doctor's advice if symptoms persist.
Recognizing That Your Body Needs Sleep
For many involved in a crisis, daytime sleepiness
is a frequent problem. Even if a person is getting
the recommended eight hours of sleep a night, stress
and emotional fatigue can cause excessive sleepiness
and frequent dozing off. This can be especially harmful
for adults since daytime sleepiness can lead to health
problems or dangerous situations when they drive.
The best solutions for overcoming daytime sleepiness
are to stick to a normal sleep routine and get extra
rest if your body needs it. When stressed, adults
should pay careful attention to what their bodies
are telling them, make good judgments about getting
to bed earlier and take frequent naps.
Lack of concentration, nodding off during quiet activities
or having trouble waking up in the morning are signs
that a child is not getting enough sleep. Parents
should remember that if the sleep schedule is disrupted
even one night, a child may experience these symptoms.
Children
copy their parents' sleep patterns, so it's important
for parents to maintain consistent sleep schedules
and get enough sleep at night. Getting a good night's
sleep should be a family priority, and it starts with
the adults in the household.
Soothing Bad Dreams
Nightmares -- vivid, long, scary dreams -- are more
frequent during times of stress, anxiety and helplessness.
Children aged 3 to 6 are the most common sufferers
of bad dreams, but traumatic events can increase the
occurrence of nightmares in adults as well.
To avoid the anxiety nightmares can cause, it is important
for adults to monitor the amount of television their
family watches before bedtime and discuss any disturbing
images with their kids. When children have nightmares,
parents should comfort them by talking about the bad
dream and offering reassurance that they are available
whenever needed.
To reduce the chance of having nightmares, adults
should avoid eating directly before bedtime and reduce
their intake of caffeine and alcohol, as each will
increase brain activity that can disrupt sleep.
Courtesy of ARA Content
