The arrival of a new year is an opportunity for a fresh start. It’s a time to determine how you can improve your life in the year ahead. One of the most important changes you can make for 2010 is to get at least seven hours of sleep each night.
“Making sleep a priority and improving your sleep habits is a great way to start the new year,” said American Academy of Sleep Medicine president Dr. Clete Kushida.
These habits include avoiding caffeine at night and keeping a regular sleep schedule. The AASM recommends that you practice all the healthy habits of good sleep hygiene.
According to the AASM most adults need about seven to eight hours of sleep each night to feel alert and well rested during the day. Getting at least seven hours of nightly sleep will help you perform your best. It also will contribute to improvements in your overall health.
Sleep is a key ingredient for the success of all your New Year’s resolutions. Getting enough sleep gives you the physical energy to reach your goals. This is especially important if you’ve made a resolution to exercise more.
Sleep also gives you the mental strength that is needed to achieve long-term goals. This will be a big help to you if you are trying to lose weight. Kushida says that sleep may even have a more direct role in weight loss.
“Recent research has shown that lack of sleep can affect the body's metabolism, potentially leading to weight gain,” said Kushida, medical director of the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic. “Sleep is just as important as nutrition and exercise in maintaining overall health.”
You should talk to your doctor if you have an ongoing sleep problem. He or she may refer you to a sleep disorders center for specialized help. You can find a directory of AASM-accredited sleep centers at www.sleepcenters.og.
Updated 12/28/2009
