Getting Enough Sleep

by Susan Churchill

According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), more than two-thirds of older adults suffer from sleep deprivation and many American adults don't get the minimum amount of restorative sleep needed to stay alert and maintain a healthy body.

Sleep is vital to good health and to mental and emotional well being. The NSF reports that people who don't get enough slumber are more likely than others to develop psychiatric problems and to use health care services. Sleep deprivation can negatively affect memory, learning, and logical reasoning. It puts stress on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system and makes us more prone to injuries. There is even new research that shows that successful weight loss occurs only if a person is getting enough sleep.

Not getting adequate sleep can also be hazardous and dangerous. More than one-half of adult drivers -- some 100 million people -- say they have driven drowsy in the past year, according to NSF polls. About one out of five of these drivers -- 32 million people -- say they've fallen asleep while driving. Each year drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 car crashes, 1,500 deaths, and tens of thousands of injuries, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

To avoid the pitfalls of insufficient sleep, make sure to get at least 7-10 hours of slumber each night. Kids need more sleep, depending on their age. We all lead very busy lives and our chores and responsibilities sometimes seem endless. However, if you rely on cutting back on sleep to help accomplish more in your day, you are possibly setting yourself up for some serious health problems. Getting adequate sleep is a commitment and sometimes we have to plan it into our day just as we plan for meals, work and exercise. Sometimes it means shutting off the TV an hour early and simply going to bed. Providing your body with the amount of sleep it needs is an important step to a healthier life.



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Susan Churchill, PT, is Director of Therapy at St. Francis.