A good night of sleep is essential for good physical and mental health. Studies have shown that the optimum amount of sleep a person should get each night is seven to eight hours (McCrae). Research shows that lack of sleep increases the risk for obesity, heart disease and infections (Spiegel). The body releases hormones during sleep that help repair cells and control the body’s use of energy (Spiegel). Not getting an adequate amount of sleep can lower the levels of the hormone leptin, which suppresses the appetite (McCrae). Lack of sleep can also influence your mood, which can affect how you interact with others (McCrae).
I normally go to bed between 2:30am and 3:00 am and wake up at 10:30am. Although I am technically getting 8 hours of sleep I still find myself feeling exhausted during the day. I read several articles that offered tips on how to achieve better sleep. The first tip is to avoid long naps and to wake up at the same time every day (NSF). Second, limit caffeine and alcohol especially near bedtime (NSF). Third, avoid artificial lights, such as TV and computers, at night (NSF) . In order for the pineal gland to secrete melatonin the brain needs complete darkness. This will be the most challenging for me because I frequently use my phone and computer at night. However, I am going to make a cognizance effort to incorporate these tips into my sleeping routine.
Works Cited
McCrae, C. S., Rowe, M. A., Tierney, C. G., Dautovich, N. D., & al, e. "Sleep