A good night’s sleep is important to maintaining overall health. But what exactly is sleep health and how do you know your sleep is adequate? Sleep health consists of the hours of sleep and hours awake and how this pattern impacts our overall well-being. Without having sufficient sleep health, many areas of our life can be impacted. Here are a few examples of what our sleep health impacts:
- Your mental health
- Your physical health
- Your weight
- Your immunity to getting sick
- Your productivity
- Your fatigue throughout the day
- Your memory
- Your physical appearance
According to the National Sleep Foundation, there are qualities that make up healthy sleep. There are also signs and symptoms that we can look for in our sleeping patterns. Here are a few signs that your sleep is healthy:
- Adults should be getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night.
- It is important to have a consistent sleep routine. This can be difficult if your work/school hours vary.
- You sleep for a continuous amount of time and do not have periods of being awake.
- You are able to fall asleep within 15 to 20 minutes of going to bed.
- Throughout the day you feel alert and are able to maintain your productivity.
- No disturbing sleep behaviors are noticed by your loved ones, such as snoring or restless behaviors.
If you are experiencing any sleep concerns, it is necessary to consult with your healthcare provider. For more information on sleep health and to see the source from the National Sleep Foundation, click here: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/what-healthy-sleep
