Living busy lives seems to always get in the way of getting some much-needed rest. At some stage, your body will start communicating that it isn’t getting the rest that it needs to fully function. That’s when you need to pay attention. The Sleep Foundation suggests that most adults need to get at least seven hours of sleep each night. The hours may change depending on your age.

Signs of sleep deprivation include:

• Excessive sleepiness- you find yourself drifting between keeping your head up and making sure it doesn’t hit anything. You need more sleep.
• Frequent yawning- yawning is the body’s way of keeping you awake, so you are most probably yawning because you are tired.
• Irritability- people who are sleep deprived have been reported to have an increase in negative mood swings and decrease in positive mood swings.
• Daytime fatigue- people with daytime fatigue are tired during the day but will not sleep during the day. Because of this fatigue, they will struggle to get through the day’s normal activities.

The effects of getting adequate sleep:

• Sharper brain- your brain holds your memory. Getting enough sleep will have you performing at your best.
• Most boost- your energy levels will be up which will mean you’ll be in a much happier mood.
• Healthier heart- sleeping brings your blood pressure down. High blood can lead to heart disease, including strokes so the more sleep you get, the better.
• Weight control- you eat less when you’re well rested. This makes it easier to keep track of your weight.

Tips for better sleep:

• Try going to bed at the same time every night. This will let your body know that you have established a routine.
• Create a restful environment. Your body needs to be at ease for you to fully get in the sleepy zone. Ensure that you don’t have any bright lights on in your room before you sleep.
• Be mindful of what you eat. Avoid having heavy meals before going to bed. The discomfort might keep you up. Also avoid caffeine and nicotine as they may affect your sleep.
• Avoid long naps during the day. Do not consume all your sleep during the day because you’ll struggle to sleep later. This goes back to establishing a routine, so your body knows when you are going to sleep.

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