Sleep Better Tonight...

76% of Americans say their daily life has been interrupted by a lack of sleep.  Not only can it affect your mood and energy level for the day, but it can also adversely affect your overall health. Notably, insufficient sleep has been linked to the development and management of a number of chronic diseases and conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression.  Here are some Choose Health™ tips for better rest.

• Power down.  Eliminate any screen time 1 hour before bed.  
• Turn off or silence your phone so incoming alerts or texts don’t cause a sleep pattern interrupt.
• Eliminate other causes of sleep pattern interrupt: snoring from a partner, animals, etc.
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine to help you wind down.  Consider journaling, creating a list for the next day, stretching, meditating, a hot bath or shower or reading.
• Don’t consume alcohol or nicotine within 3 hours before bed.  These may negatively affect the quality of your sleep.
• Likewise, avoid consuming caffeinated products in the late afternoon or evening.
• Eliminate sources of light in your bedroom such as alarm clocks, night lights, light from a phone or streetlight through your windows.  A dark room can contribute to better rest.
• Make a consistent schedule for a bedtime and wake up time that allows for 7.5+ hours of sleep as an adult or 9+ hours as a growing child or teen.