Do you know the frustration of restless legs, getting up to use the toilet, the constant chatter in your mind? Are you familiar with spending the night staring in the ceiling? You may have even resigned yourself to sleeping less and wilting in front of the T.V. until your eyes drop.

But lack of sleep isn’t as harmless as you think. If you get less than 6 hours of sleep a night, you are arming diseases to attack you.

A recent sleep study conducted at the University of South Korea followed 2,600 adults for over 2 years. Researchers found that people who slept less than 6 hours a night were 41% more likely to get METABOLIC SYNDROME - the group of factors that put you at risk for heart disease and diabetes. If you sleep less than 6 hours a night you are 41% more likely to get to heart disease and diabetes.
 

The study also found that lack of sleep was linked to:

•    30% increased risk of high blood sugar
•    Excess belly fat and obesity 
•    56% higher risk of hypertension (High blood pressure)
•    Different mental disorders and diseases
•    Depression

The question is: how do you make yourself fall asleep?

These are the things that can help you find a new way to sleep.
•    Take 30 minutes a day to meditate or do yoga.
•    Remove all the electronics from the room- that includes TV and your cell phone
•    Soak your feet before bed. It increases circulation and prevents agitation in your body.
•    Leave the fan on. This creates airflow and the white noise will cut out distractions.
•    Use scented candles or sprays. They affect your body chemistry and put you to sleep.
•    If you wake up, stay in bed. Don’t walk around or even open your eyes
•    Put a few drops of essential oils on your pillow. Scents like lavender and bergamot keep you calm.

Don’t give up, sleep is vital for your overall health!

By Destiny Kanu