Americans are getting less sleep than ever before, and it’s showing in our health. A recent study found that the average American gets just 6 hours and 21 minutes of sleep a night at age 40 – the least of any age group.
It’s no wonder we’re struggling with obesity, diabetes, and other chronic health issues. If you want to improve your health, start by getting more – and better – sleep. Experts recommend at least 7-8 hours each night.
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Sleep is important for our health and well-being. It allows our bodies to rest and repair and helps us feel refreshed and rejuvenated. However, sleep is not always easy to come by. So, researchers from the Medical College of Georgia investigated sleep duration and efficiency.
For the study, investigators used samples from 11,279 participants aged six and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. All participants wore accelerometers on their non-dominant wrist 24 hours a day for seven consecutive days.
Researchers found that nighttime sleep decreases as our age increases. However, a U-shape emerged as sleep duration dropped significantly from about age ten into the 50s. The increase in sleep time later in life may reflect that most Americans retire in their 60s and don’t have to get up early for work. Researchers also noted that health problems in older people might also account for a longer sleep time.
Sleep efficiency was also analyzed in this study. Sleep efficiency, which basically means how much of the time we devote to sleeping that we actually sleep, tends to decrease across our lifetimes. This can be due to several factors, including stress, anxiety, medical conditions, and sleep disorders.
However, investigators were surprised to find that sleep efficiency stabilizes from ages 30 to 60. This means that, even though we may not be getting as much sleep as we did in our youth, we can still get a good night’s sleep. So, if you’re feeling tired in your middle-age years, don’t despair; it’s normal!
The study also reported that black Americans tended to have some of the worst sleep habits, generally going to sleep later and sleeping fewer hours. In black patients, physicians report sleep disorders contributing to cardiovascular outcomes. For example, obstructive sleep apnea, which tends to be more severe in blacks, has been linked to an increased risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, hypertension, heart failure, and other conditions.
Health Issues Related to Poor Sleep
Most people know that sleep is important, but many do not realize just how essential it is to our overall health and well-being. Sleep issues such as insomnia can affect cardiovascular health, the incidence of depression, obesity, and other health problems.
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When we sleep, our bodies undergo a variety of important processes, from cell regeneration to the consolidation of memories. Without adequate sleep, these processes cannot take place, and our bodies become more susceptible to illness and disease. So if you want to stay healthy, make sure you get plenty of rest and give your body the essential vitamins and nutrients needed to get a good night’s sleep.
Sleep Sure Plus is designed to help promote optimal sleep and restfulness through a variety of ingredients. One of the most important ingredients included in this unique formula is melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone essential for regulating the circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock).
Sleep Sure Plus also contains valerian, one of the best natural ingredients for promoting rest and relaxation. These two essential ingredients are joined by another 6, which all work together to provide a better quality of sleep.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
