“I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Sadly, that joking remark has become the motto of many overachievers in our society. The list of reasons why we pass up a good night’s sleep is extensive. It’s estimated that as many as
70 million Americans have trouble sleeping and the problem is progressively getting worse with the proliferation of gadgets and bad habits.
Skimping on sleep can affect your health in more ways than you might imagine. Getting less than 6 hours of sleep each night has been associated with lower overall brain activity. That affects people’s productivity, physical safety, and weight. Inadequate sleep increases your risk of developing a
mental health disorder such as ADD/ADHD, anxiety, and depression, and can also lead to serious health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
When you miss out on sleep, your brain pays the price. A
study conducted in Italy found that a sleep-deprived brain can actually begin to eat itself. Chronic lack of sleep leads to
irreversible loss of brain cells and also increases the brain plaque believed to contribute to age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease.
If you’re tired of being tired, here are 3 simple ways you can prevent the negative effects of sleep deprivation:
3 Ways to Get Better Quality Sleep
Avoid Sleep Stealers
Getting a good night’s sleep is becoming little more than an elusive dream for many of us. It’s easy to develop bad sleep habits when leading a busy life. To restore proper balance to your sleep cycle, avoid common sleep stealers like caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, daytime naps, and
using technology right before bed.
Get Nutritional Support
There are many contributing factors to habitual wakefulness. If you’re having problems “turning off” your brain at night or staying asleep, a good nutritional supplement can support your body’s natural relaxation response and produce a soothing, sedative effect. Look for supplements that contain vitamin B6, magnesium, GABA, valerian, and melatonin. These can help relax your body and mind.
Practice Good Sleep Hygiene
Though often associated with cleanliness, hygiene also applies to behavioral practices designed to sustain optimal health. Sleep hygiene is extremely important for a person’s brain health, physical health, and overall well-being. Follow these proven strategies to improve your
sleep hygiene.
If you’re not getting enough sleep, or if you’re not feeling refreshed after sleep, Amen Clinics can help. Since sleep disorders often occur alongside other physical and mental health conditions, we seek to understand each patient’s individual challenges. We don’t just treat symptoms, we treat the root of the problem. Our goal is to help you achieve and maintain peaceful sleep without the use of sleeping pills or sedatives. One of the best ways we can accomplish that is with the use of
brain SPECT imaging.
Our Full Evaluation of your biological, psychological, social, and spiritual history, coupled with two brain SPECT imaging scans, cognitive testing, and a clinical assessment is designed to address your unique needs and offer targeted treatment options.
Sleep deprivation is hazardous to your health. We can help improve the quality of your sleep. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit us online to
schedule a visit.
