A good night’s sleep is essential for looking and feeling your best. Research shows that lack of sleep not only affects how you feel and makes you more prone to health issues such as heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression, but it has also been linked to potential cognitive decline.
A study published in the journal Neurology monitored the sleep quality of more than 500 people in their late thirties and early forties over the course of a year. The study found that those with fragmented sleep had lower cognitive function when tested more than 10 years later.
If you’re struggling to maintain consistent sleep patterns, it’s important to focus on your sleep hygiene. The CDC recommends adopting habits such as going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, ensuring a quiet and comfortable environment, avoiding screens before bed, and getting regular exercise.
- Going to bed at the same time each night and getting up at the same time each morning, even on weekends
- Making sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and at a comfortable temperature
- Removing screens, like your phone and computer, from your bedroom
- Avoiding large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before you go to bed
- Getting regular exercise
If improving sleep hygiene doesn’t help, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional to explore potential underlying causes of sleep issues. Addressing sleep problems can have a significant impact on overall health and well-being.
