There?s always one more thing to do, but putting off sleep is not healthy.
Hours of missed sleep accumulate into what specialists call sleep debt.
“It can go back for years, not just days. When youhaven?t slept well for two years, it?s hard to catch up over one weekend,” said Dr. Brian Bohner, director of the Central Maryland Sleep Center. “A person can gradually pay back the sleep debt by setting up a sleep schedule.”
Restless nights leave the body prone to infections, negatively affect hormone production and can lead to depression, he said. Sleep aids are no replacement for regular sleep and exercise.
“Self-medicating as many people do doesn?t get rid of the problem. Exercise is the biggest-bang-for-your-buck tip. Most people know to avoid caffeine and alcohol, but getting out of a sedentary lifestyle and exercising is best,” Bohner said.
Twenty million people experience problems sleeping according to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
At least 40 million Americans suffer from chronic, long-term sleep disorders each year.
Seek treatment if you:
» Have trouble falling or staying asleep
» Are fatigued or unable to concentrate during the day
» Exhibit odd behaviors while sleeping such as walking, punching or kicking
