The Value of Good Sleep
If you get enough sleep these days, you’re way ahead of curve. In fact, the New York Times style section considers sleep a status symbol – a sign of “prosperity and control.” Most people, no matter their age, are not giving themselves enough sleep for their bodies to function in the most basic ways. Our lifestyles, stress levels, and diets are just a few things causing lack of sleep and even serious sleep disorders today.
The sleep deprived cause work related injuries and productivity loss. Up to 20% of car accidents are caused by drowsy drivers. Modern medicine markets pills and products to the millions of people in this country who can’t get a good night’s sleep. And yet, the need for sleep aids, sleep studies, and pharmaceutical pills to induce sleep keeps increasing. The sleep industry is becoming as lucrative as the diet industry, offering quick fixes for a problem that could sometimes be solved with lifestyle adjustment instead.
Of course, there are serious sleep related diseases like Sleep Apnea that can be treated effectively. But for most of us, sleep simply needs to become a priority and not a luxury. Sleep shouldn’t be something you get to do only on the weekends.
Sadly, kids are some of the worst sleep deprived, affecting academic performance and overall health. Kids need significantly more sleep each night than adults but with overloaded schedules, kids just aren’t getting it. Lack of sleep has been shown to contribute to obesity and cause mood disorders. And if we never learn the importance of sleep, we go through our lives dealing with these issues needlessly.
When looking for a natural way to address sleep issues, the first thing to consider is lifestyle. Can you adjust your work or extra curricular hours in a way that will allow you to get the sleep you need? Poor diet and alcohol intake can also be factors in sleep deprivation. Making the bedroom more peaceful is key – removing the television, computers and cell phones for instance. Eating right before bed can be another culprit of sleeplessness. There are several natural herbal options for occasional sleeplessness like melatonin, passionflower, or valerian root. Unfortunately, none of these are safe to take for people already taking a prescription sleep aids, pain medication, or any drug prescribed for anxiety or depression. Lavender essential oil is a safer option for someone hoping to just get a little more calm and peace during the night.
Sleep is just one way we can take care of our bodies, and it’s just as important to our overall health as exercise or eating right.