citizensmemorial.com 15 Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night for a sound reason: Sleep is the cornerstone of health and well-being. It’s as essential to survival as food and water. Rewards of rest While you’re sleeping, your body and brain don’t shut down. Rather, they go into repair mode. Shut-eye allows important processes to happen. A good night’s sleep: ● Gives your cells, tissues, blood vessels and muscles time to repair and heal. ● Strengthens your immune system. ● Fortifies alertness, decision-making, focus, learning, memory, reasoning and problem-solving. ● Boosts your mood and energy levels. All told, everything is better when you get enough rest. Say good night to sleep issues Regularly missing out on a full night’s rest can make you feel sluggish and tired. It can also harm your health. Consistently not getting enough sleep can put you at increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and many other conditions. It can also contribute to weight gain, inflammation and accidents, among other problems. Are you getting enough sleep? Sleep better, feel better The Missouri Sleep Institute at CMH offers testing for all sleep disorders in a stateof-the-art laboratory with specially trained technicians. The staff includes, from left: Talena Gardner, RT; Michael Loggan, M.D.; Brian Kim, M.D.; and Don Garrison, RT. The Missouri Sleep Institute is at 1165 N. Butterfield Road in Bolivar. Call 417-328-6631 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Sleep tweaks If you are having trouble regularly getting enough sleep, try these simple sleep strategies. Stick to a sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends. Power down. Before bedtime, turn off electronic devices and the TV. Do something relaxing, such as taking a warm bath or reading a book. Cut back on caffeine and alcohol. Both can be sleep stealers, especially caffeine late in the day and alcoholic beverages at bedtime. Wear yourself out. Exercise helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Try to get in 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity each day, in the morning or afternoon. Sources: American Heart Association; National Institutes of Health Sleep solutions If you’re having trouble sleeping, talk to your primary care provider. You can find a provider by calling 417-328-6010 or visiting citizensmemorial.com.
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