**GUEST BLOG – by Kelly Niccolli, a sleep and wellness enthusiast.**
Download the Digital Sleep Cards (DOWNLOAD HERE)
You may think that successful people get very few hours of sleep each night and that they have a hard time sleeping because they’re always doing so much. But in all actuality, in order to be successful you have to get a good night’s rest.
As you sleep, your body works to not only maintain your physical health, but to support a healthy brain function as well. While you’re sleeping your brain is being helped to work properly and prepare for the next day. All of this makes it possible for us to learn and remember information. This is important for success because it allows us to apply new ideas and concepts that we’ve learned to our businesses, careers, and lives in general.
Skipping out on sleep impairs your brain function. It slows your ability to both process information and problem solve, weakens your creativity, and increases your stress levels and emotional reactivity. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get between 7-9 hours of sleep each night. However, research revealed that about 63 percent of Americans do not get enough sleep during the week.
Listed below are four common sleep issues that professionals face as well as tips to overcome them to help set yourself up for success.
Anxiety
Do you find that as soon as your head hits the pillow your mind starts racing? You may be worrying about work, money, or even your relationship. It’s completely normal to be anxious from time to time, but when your anxiety gets in the way of getting a good night’s sleep, it can become a frustrating cycle. If anxiety is keeping you awake, try using a meditation app right before bed. This will not only help you relax your mind, but it also helps to cross that difficult line between thinking and dreaming. You can also try stretching before bed to help your body wind down.
Discomfort
A Sleep in America poll revealed that 21 percent of Americans experience chronic pain. It also found that 36 percent have had acute pain in the past week. Pain is a key factor in the gap between the amount of sleep we say that we need and the amount that we actually get. In fact, those with chronic pain experience an average 42 minute sleep debt and those with acute pain 14 minutes. If pain or discomfort is hindering your sleep, make sure that you have the proper sleep essentials. A well-designed mattress, breathable bedding, and proper sleepwear will all help improve your comfort levels. Good pillows are also a must as your pillow affects the way that your neck aligns with your spine.
Noise
In today’s world it often seems like peace and quiet can be something of a rarity. Whether it’s the sound of neighbors laughing outside your apartment door or your partner snoring, there are a variety of everyday noises that can disturb and diminish our quality of sleep. If the booming noise levels around you are disrupting your sleep, there are steps you can take to battle the noise pollution. Try using ear plugs to help block out the sound. White noise is also a great option to help mask background sounds. It can be used to drown out sounds which might prevent you from either falling asleep or waking up while asleep.
Temperature
Are you too hot or too cold when trying to fall asleep? Did you know that your thermostat can make or break your slumber? When lying in bed trying to fall asleep, your body temperature decreased in order to initiate sleep. Keeping your bedroom temperature between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit can actually help facilitate this process. If your room is cooler, it will be much easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Setting your thermostat far lower or higher than what’s recommended can lead to restlessness and can even affect your REM stage of sleep (the stage in which you dream).
Digital Sleep Cards (DOWNLOAD HERE)
