‘Tis The Season to Be Sleepy
Expert Tips for More Restful Holiday Season
(PHOENIX, AZ) – The hustle and bustle is taking a toll on our sleep. A Gallup poll on sleep found three out of four (76 percent) adults reported losing sleep between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day with half (49 percent) losing three or more hours of sleep per week. Too many activities, financial pressures and family issues were among the top reasons for sleep deprivation. While the survey was done in 2003, the findings still apply to many of us today.
“Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night,” says Lauri Leadley, president of Valley Sleep Center. “Too little sleep can not only make you cranky and struggle to concentrate, but numerous studies tell us that quality sleep is critical to our overall health.”
Lauri can discuss ways to help you keep the season bright, not bleary-eyed. They include:
- Saying “no” – don’t get caught up in attending every holiday party and event. It may sound exciting at first, but entertaining night after night can become exhausting. Be choosy and avoid overbooking.
- Planning ahead – don’t want until the last-minute to do your cooking, cleaning and shopping. If you’re the host, ask others to bring dishes or cook some food ahead of time and freeze it.
- Watching holiday treats – too much alcohol and heavy, greasy foods, especially at night, can hurt your sleep.
- Keeping your schedule – so you get some time off during the holidays? Congratulations! Use the time to relax and recharge, but don’t alter your regular sleep schedule too much.
- Traveling smart – if you’re driving be sure to get enough sleep. You need to be alert on the crowded roads during the holiday season. If you’re not driving, invest in a travel pillow to avoid a stiff neck, wear comfy clothes and bring along soothing music.
- Exercising – with the parties, travel and shopping, many of us put exercise on the back burner. Don’t. It’s not only a great stress reliever, but helps you sleep better.
About Valley Sleep Center
Since 2002, Valley Sleep Center has provided Arizona with diagnostic sleep disorder testing in a home-like atmosphere, ensuring a comfortable, relaxing experience for patients. Their physicians are Board Certified Sleep Medicine Specialists and they are accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. They provide diagnostic testing for a multitude of sleep related disorders including insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, hypertension, sleepwalking, and pediatric sleep problems. www.valleysleepcenter.com
