Sleep
It’s no secret that we need regular, restorative sleep, but sometimes life’s demands force us to cut it short. However, despite some claims that our bodies can adapt effectively to a reduced amount sleep, scientists still recommend that adults get 7-9 hours each night for optimal health and well-being. Lack of restful sleep has been linked to increased susceptibility of colds and flu, heart disease, diabetes, and weight gain – none of which will help you accomplish your goals. On the other hand, getting enough quality sleep means that you get more out of life every single day. You find yourself more energetic, better able to learn and retain information, more creative, and a better problem solver. If you’re looking to take life up a notch, stop talking about lack of sleep as a badge of honor, and start asking yourself whether you’re rejuvenating your body and mind each night so that you can get to where you want to go.
Insomnia
We often think of the inability to sleep as insomnia, but that’s actually only one possible symptom. The others are frequent awakenings throughout the night, waking up and being unable to fall back to sleep, and waking up without feeling rested. These symptoms may indicate a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, or medical or psychological problems that need to be addressed. When your sleep quality (or lack thereof) affects your ability to function throughout the day, it’s time to change your behavior so that you get more rest, or time to see your physician to investigate the issue.
Weight Management
A lack of quality sleep can have a greater negative impact on you than you think, as it’s been linked to weight gain in multiple ways. Physiologically, poor sleep affects hormones that are related to stress and metabolism, which affect your body’s ability to burn fat effectively. In addition, poor sleep can impair the body’s ability to use insulin, which can contribute to adult-onset diabetes. Less rest also leads to behaviors that contribute to weight gain. For example, when you’re tired you’re less likely to exercise, which means fewer calories burned throughout the day. You may also find that you’re too tired to prepare a healthy dinner, and subsequently eat what’s quick and easy, but not so healthy. While getting enough rest by itself doesn’t guarantee that you’re going to lose weight, it does set you up for success in various aspects of your life, including your weight and overall health.
Resources & Tools
Quality sleep is linked to various dimensions of wellness, including the physical and emotional dimensions. Here are a few resources and tools to help you recharge each day.
On Campus
Off Campus
Online
Tools