Is lack of sleep putting your life in danger?

Research has shown sleep is necessary if you want to maintain a healthy mind and body. However, in today's culture of .burning the candle at both ends,. sleep is viewed more as a luxury than a necessity. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 63% of American adults don't get enough sleep. In fact, 47% of adults may be putting themselves at risk because they're not getting the 7-9 hours of sleep required for their health and safety.

Sleep deprivation has been linked to obesity, high blood pressure, mood swings and decreased productivity. Sleep-deprived people tested for hand-eye coordination performed worse than those who were intoxicated, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration attributes 100,000 accidents and 1,500 deaths to driver fatigue every year.

The economy also suffers when people don't get enough sleep. Direct health care costs of insomnia alone are estimated at nearly $14 billion a year, while indirect costs such as lost productivity weigh in at $28 billion.

With alarming statistics like that, it's apparent a good night's sleep is just as important as healthy diet and exercise. However, the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research states that approximately 70 million people in the U.S. are affected by sleep problems, with 40 million of those suffering from chronic sleep disorders. So, how can the average, sleep-deprived person hope to get enough rest? To help you out, here are a few tips to help you get a good night's sleep.

1. Maintain a regular sleep schedule.Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day, even on weekends. If you stick to a schedule, you'll soon find it comes more naturally.
2. Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine. Don't pay the bills or do problem-solving right before bed. Instead, relax with a warm bath, a good book or a light & sound session.
3. Create a sleep-conducive environment. Make sure your sleep space is dark, quiet, and comfortable. If you work at night, try using blackout curtains, eyeshades, .white noise. or earplugs.
4. Use your bedroom only for sleep. Keeping distractions like work out of your bedroom will strengthen the assciation between bed and sleep.
5. Finish eating at least 2-3 hours before bed. Eating or drinking too much right before bed may make you uncomfortable when you lie down, and it inhibits weight loss.
6. Exercise regularly. Exercise at least 20-30 minutes a day. However, exercising right before bed may make it more difficult to fall asleep, so schedule your exercise earlier in the day.
7. Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants and can make it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Alcohol, though some consider it a sleep aid, leads to restless and disturbed sleep.
8. Don't lie in bed awake. The anxiety of not being able to fall asleep can contribute to insomnia. If you can't sleep, get up and read, listen to music or practice selfhypnosis until you feel drowsy.
9. Do a light & sound and/or hypnosis process. Light & Sound technology and hypnosis release neurochemicals that provide relaxation and stress relief, which also help eliminate insomnia and improve sleep.
10. See your doctor if your problem continues. Your trouble sleeping may be a sign of a sleep disorder or other serious condition. If the steps above don't help you improve your sleep, check with your doctor for more information.

This article is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Talk with your doctor before beginning any treatment or therapy, or if you experience severe or enduring symptoms of depression, as they may be signs of clinical depression. To learn more about how Positive Changes. and the light & sound technology described in this article can help you relieve stress and lift your mood, contact your local center at 1-877-POSITIVE.