Sleep plays a massive role in everyone’s life, whether it be someone who works 9-5:00 or someone who works 12-hour night shifts. The amount of sleep we get can surely alter our mood and how we feel, but lack of sleep, or disrupted sleep can be detrimental to our overall health.

Ongoing sleep deficiency or untreated sleep disorders can be linked to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. Not getting enough sleep can also affect the brain by making it harder to process memories and function properly. The amount of sleep recommended for adults by the National Sleep Foundation is 7-9 hours for people 26-64 years old.

When it comes to falling asleep, people can be distracted by things such as their phone or television. To implement good sleep hygiene, we recommend the following-

• establishing a bedtime and sticking to it
• maintaining comfortable temperature in your bedroom
• making sure you have a comfortable sleep environment
• stay away from caffeine and large meals leading up to sleep
• not using any tobacco products
• exercising during the day, but not too close to bedtime

Good sleep is vital to everyone’s overall health. Without it, the body can’t repair and recharge for another day.