What is Sleep Hygiene?
Sleep hygiene refers to a set of practices and habits that improve the quality and quantity of sleep, leading to better overall health and full daytime alertness.
Good sleep is essential for both our health and emotional well-being. As we age, the amount of sleep we need changes. According to the CDC, for adults 18 years old to 60 years old, 7 or more hours of sleep is recommended daily.
Why is Sleep Hygiene Important?
Sleep hygiene is important because it has many health benefits.
- Helps your immune system stay strong so you get sick less often
- Reduce stress and improve mood
- Improve heart health and metabolism
- Lowers risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure
- Improve attention and memory
What are Some Habits to Improve Sleep?
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day
- Keep your bedroom a space for rest, quiet, and at a cool temperature
- Stop using devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime
- Avoid caffeine in the afternoon or evening