March is Sleep Awareness Month, which is meant to educate and motivate you to sleep better. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report more than one third of American adults do not get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep leads to a lower quality of life and not functioning properly on daily activities.Getting a good night’s sleep can help you perform better and live a healthier life. There are many sleep disorders, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome, which are treatable once you have been diagnosed. When you don’t sleep enough for a few days, sleep deprivation takes place, which means your body will demand for those hours.

Suffering from sleep deprivation has many negative effects. The negative effects can be impaired judgement, slow reaction time, and an impairment to other functions. Sleep deprivation can also cause memory problems, depression, a weak immune system and it increases stress. If a good sleeping habit is not attained, later in life you could suffer from health issues, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and mental impairments. In order to have a good sleep, it is important to stay active during the day and avoid caffeine 6 hours before bedtime. At night, before bed it is important to sleep in a dark and quiet room, avoid large meals, and to not use electronics an hour before bed.

Having good sleeping habits is vital for a long and healthy life. An adult, 18-60 years of age should have at least seven hours of sleep every night. If you or anyone you know suffers from a sleeping disorder and would like a Second Opinion, visit SecondOpinions.com to help you live a restful, healthier, and happier life.