The
Sleep Stealers
Our
body needs to recharge after a day’s hustle and bustle
of activities. According to experts, adults need at
least 8 hours of sleep every night. But sometimes we
find it hard to fall and stay asleep due to several
physical, mental and environmental factors – the sleep
stealers.
We
have compiled a list of possible sleep stealers. They
include:
- Stress.
Experts consider stress as the leading cause of
sleeping difficulties. It includes academic or
career-related pressures, relationship problems and
family crisis.
- Lifestyle
stressors.
Some of our daily habits may bring about sleeping
problems. One should avoid drinking alcohol or
caffeinated beverages less than five hours before
bedtime; going to bed too full or too hungry;
engaging in mentally-challenging activities before
going to bed, or; exercising too close to bedtime.
- Noise.
Experts believe that noise level at 40 – 70
decibels generally keep people awake. A person
talking measures about 50 decibels.
- Shift
work. Most
shift workers don’t get enough. When shift falls
during late night to the wee hours of dawn, the
employee is fighting the natural wake-sleep pattern.
- Jet
lag.
Inability to sleep caused when traveling across
several time zones. This causes the body’s natural
biological rhythms to get out of sync.
- Sleep
surface.
Sleeping space should be horizontal and not cramped.
The mattress and pillows you use can make a big
difference. The habits of sleeping partner also play
a significant role (i.e., snoring).
- Temperature/Climate.
This varies for person to person across the globe.
But generally, temperatures above 75 degrees
Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celcius) and below 54 degrees
F (12 degrees C) will awaken people.
- Altitude.
Altitudes of 13,200 feet (4,000 meters) or more
generally cause sleep disruption. This is because of
the diminished oxygen levels at higher altitude
levels.
- Light.
The sleeping area should not be brightly lit for the
body to adjust to its natural 24-hour period of
wakefulness and sleepiness that is regulated by an
internal body clock.
- Sleep
disorders.
Look out for signs and symptoms of insomnia, sleep
apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, etc.
Sleeping disorders should be diagnosed and treated
immediately.
- Illness.
Most people complain several physical problems
affecting their ability to fall or stay asleep. This
includes pain, backache, soreness or other
discomforts. Women often complain of premenstrual
syndrome (PMS) and hormonal shifts especially during
pregnancy and menopause intruding in their sleep.
- Medications.
Certain medications can cause sleeping difficulties
such as decongestants, steroids, as well as some
medications for asthma, depression and high blood
pressure.
After you have identified them, you can now make
the necessary changes in order for you to have a better
night’s sleep.
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