Score deeper, more restorative rest with these tips from health pros.
It might sound obvious, but many of us are sleepy because were not getting enough sleep.
One in three American adults is sleep-deprived, according to theU.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
(ICYMI,7 to 9 hours per nightis the sweet spot.)
And even if were getting enough, we might be starving for better sleep.
Many [people] don’t even think about sleep until much later in the evening.
But we need not be stuck in a vicious sleep-shy cycle.
Perhaps its similar to the concept of eating better or being a better person.
Ambiguous goals often create ambiguous pathways to success, he says.
Perhaps you want more energy during the workday so you dont feel like dozing off during meetings.
A regular schedule is especially important in terms of wake-up time.
The more consistent you are, the more efficient your sleep, Dr. Breus adds.
When we have this regulated, well have the best quality of sleep.
(Pasta, anyone?)
This way, you might start to notice general trends regarding what tends to help you sleep better.
Too much caffeine reduces our deep sleep and makes us more arousable, which results in lower quality sleep.
Too much alcohol also reduces deep sleep and lowers sleep quality, Dr. Broderick continues.
When to See a Doctor
Don’t brush off your sleep struggles as NBD.
Photo:Getty Images / SHAPE
