Why a Good Night's Sleep is Important for Optimal Health

According to the National Sleep Foundation, a majority of American adults experience sleep problems. If it takes you longer than 30 minutes to fall asleep at night, you wake frequently or are waking too early in the morning you may experience sleep debt.  Sleep debt can lead to more serious health problems if left untreated.

How much sleep do adults require?

Adults need 7-8 hours of sleep a night. For some six hours is enough and others may need 10 or more hours a night.  

How can you tell if you are sleep deprived?

If you are having a difficult time staying alert, are unreasonably irritable with the people around you, or are having trouble concentrating or remembering facts you probably are experiencing sleep debt.

Adults need sleep for good health, mental and emotional functioning and safety.  Researchers have found that people with chronic sleep problems or insomnia, are more likely to develop psychiatric problems and visit the doctor more often. 

If you don't get enough sleep it can cause you to be less productive, have difficulty concentrating, and impair your ability to perform tasks involving memory, learning and logical reasoning.  

Sleep debt is very dangerous and can lead to auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that more than 100,000 accidents annually are fatigue related. More than 1,500 deaths resulted from auto accidents caused by fatigued drivers. Most often these drivers were 25 and under.  

If you believe that you are suffering from sleep debt it is important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor. He will help you find the best treatment options so you can sleep better. 


*Image Credit: freedigitalphotos.net












About Our Founder

Cascia Talbert is a busy blogger,  and mother of five children, living in Spokane, WA. With a B.A. in history and law and a passion for writing and staying healthy, she started The Healthy Moms Magazine in 2007. The Healthy Moms Magazine is currently ranked the top health blog for moms. Ms. Talbert believes that if mothers are well educated on health issues and how to stay healthy, they can pass that information down to their children and reverse the childhood obesity statistics in the U.S.

Ms. Talbert  runs the Healthy Moms Social Network, is the founder of Healthy Moms Media, and also blogs at talbertzoo.com. You can follow her on facebook.com/TheHealthyMomsMag, and twitter.com/cltalbert.

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