10 Steps To Feeling Better: #6 Get Enough Sleep

12/23/2021 (Permalink)

The benefits of getting enough sleep

One of the most important ways to feel better is to meet your body’s needs, and one of the easiest ways to do that is to get enough sleep. 

Everyone knows that adults need eight hours of sleep a night, but do you know the benefits of actually getting those hours? 

One study showed that participants who got eight hours of sleep a night had no attention lapses, while those who only got four, and six hours of sleep experienced more lapses with every passing day. By the end of the two-week study, those who only slept six hours a night were the cognitive equivalent of being legally drunk.

Sleep-deprived minds have a much harder time being happy because they can’t recall happy memories, while they have no problem remembering things with a negative connotation.

Lack of sleep also puts you at risk for illness. Those who weren’t sleeping enough were three times more likely to get sick.

Decision-making is also deeply affected by our sleep quality. Sleeping better allows you to make better decisions and behave less rashly.

A lack of sleep also contributes to people making more unethical decisions. 

And naps can increase alertness and performance at work.

Our tips on better sleep: 

• Put electronics away an hour before bed
• Pick a consistent bedtime and wake up time every day 
• Invest in blackout curtains for complete darkness in your room
• Stop doing work and watching TV in bed, your bedroom should be exclusively for sleeping
• Noise machines, music, or bedtime stories are a great way to fall asleep, we recommend Dreamful Bedtime Stories on Spotify.

Check back next week for more tips on feeling better from the SERVPRO of South Mecklenburg County team!

Want to know more about us? Please check out our other pages:

LinkedIn  Facebook  Instagram  Twitter  Angie's List  BBB Youtube Pinterest Yelp