We All Need Our Sleep

More research this week on the importance of sleep but this time for children. For adults we have known for some time that most of us require 7-8 hours to function properly, though with athletes increasing this amount boosts their performance. Low levels of sleep in adults have been highly correlated to obesity, hypertension, breast cancer and diabetes to name just a few. We know that lack of sleep disrupts out fine hormone balance and undermines performance on many levels including physical, emotional and mental. For learning we know children require 10 hours a day as sleep is when our brain’s consolidate all the information they have been learning. But, we now know to that lack of sleep in children also affects their weight and is much more likely to create obese adults in the future.

Kevin- 10/09/10

As most people require 7-8 hours sleep per day remember it is also the quality of sleep that counts and it is important we cycle through our 5 stages of sleep from light to deep and dream sleep. To help this try not to use computers or watch TV late at night as the intensity of the light wakes you up. An hour before you go to bed try relaxing; taking a bath perhaps or reading a book. Ensure your sleeping environment is dark and cool to promote sleep and if you have things on your mind then write them down.  Planning is always important so maybe get to bed early one night a week and it may be a good idea to avoid exercising late at night. Finally, if all these fail there are supplements that can help you sleep. Just ask if you need more information.

Kevin- updated 23/09