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BY CAROL ABAYA
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
As more Americans are on the road this summer, often driving hundreds of miles during a vacation, a solid night’s sleep can protect the family. All too often an accident is just around the corner.
Remember those bus drivers who fell asleep at the wheel, and riders were killed? Falling asleep some place other than bed is not uncommon. Insomnia affects more than 70 million Americans. But sleeping in a comfortable bed can make a big difference in whether you are totally awake or mentally sluggish — or dead or alive.
Lack of enough, uninterrupted sleep:- Decreases your ability to concentrate
- Decreases your reaction time when driving
- Increases your memory lapses and forgetfulness
- Increases your likelihood of accidents and injuries
- Increases moodiness
- Increases your susceptibility to illness.
- stress and anxiety
- depression
- misuse or negative side effects of medication, both OTC and prescription
- a change in your environment or schedule
- chronic pain
- environmental noise
- extreme temperatures
- grieving over the loss of a loved one -- a person OR A PET.
How can you protect yourself and others? Sleep experts recommend the following. These are basic tips and help avoid the need for drugs:
- Relax before bedtime. Avoid strenuous exercise. Engage in a relaxing activity, reading, a warm bath, or deep breathing, yoga.
- During the day get regular exercise, but at least five to six hours before going to bed.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Both increase your metabolic system, the amount of sugar in your bood, and prevent you from relaxing.
- Darken the room and have a comfortable bed, linens, etc.
- A pleasant room temperature avoids sleep being disrupted. However, some people do like a colder or warmer environment. Maintain the same temperature every night.
- If you can’t sleep, get out of bed and do something else that does not use brain power. Studies have shown it takes the average person 30 minutes to fall asleep.
Establish a sleep schedule, going to bed and getting up at the same time each day.
If these tips don’t help, seek help from your doctor. But only take drugs if other things don’t help.
