Is Your Body Telling You to Get a Good Night’s Sleep?

If you’ve noticed that you’ve become more angry or upset, irritable, grouchy, distracted and unfocused, or forgetful of late, it’s time to start paying attention to what your body is trying to tell you. Your world may feel like it’s crashing down around you, but really, you may just need a good night’s sleep. The U.S. Center for Disease Control & Prevention estimates that 34.8% of Americans do not get the proper amount of sleep they need to maintain physical, mental, and emotional wellness. That’s more than a third of us walking around with one or more symptoms of sleep deprivation. While different people need different amounts of sleep, don’t use that as an excuse to short yourself—your body knows how much sleep you need and will tell you, if you pay attention. As a general rule, you should be getting seven to eight hours of good-quality sleep per night. But what if things like snoring or restlessness are affecting your sleep and preventing you from getting the rest you really need? Sleeping problems like sleep apnea or insomnia should not be taken lightly, because symptoms can go far beyond a little daytime grouchiness and can even cause lasting damage. Read more…