The Power of Sleep
It might sound simple, but how much sleep you get each night contributes greatly to your overall brain health! The Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health says getting enough sleep each night for has many healthy benefits and can…
- Energize you!
- Improve your mood!
- Improve your immune system!
- Reduce buildup in the brain of an abnormal protein called beta-amyloid plaque, which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease!
The Impact of Too Little Rest
In fact, shortchanging your sleep can lead to all sorts of negative health issues including…
- Brain fog.
- Diabetes.
- Depression.
- Heart problems.
- High blood pressure.
- Obesity.
How Much Sleep Do I Need?
The amount of sleep needed for optimal cognitive health depends on age. According to the CDC, as reported by The Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is as follows:
Are YOU getting enough rest every night? How about your spouse or your children?
Prepare for a Good Night’s Sleep
For many folks, getting sleepy at the end of the day can be difficult. While your body may feel tired, your brain may still be quite alert. Many doctors suggest making time to “wind down” at the end of the day in order to help achieve sleep success.
- Turn off electronic devices.
- Turn down the lights in your home.
- Take a warm shower or bath.
- Read a book.
- Listen to relaxing music.
- Meditate.
Adjust Your Bedtime & Be Consistent
If you’re used to going to bed late, you can begin to shift your bedtime back by 15-20 minutes every few days. Once you get to your bedtime goal, try to go to bed consistently at the same time each night. You’ll begin feeling well-rested in no time, and your brain will thank you!
Be sure to check out next month’s newsletter for another great cognitive health tip!
Want to read past cognitive health tips? Visit my website’s blog at https://pameladixon.com/news.
