Figure Skater Peggy Fleming Teams With HealthSaver: Healthy Sleep Tips for a New Y...( -- Without sleep bodies lose the oppo...),Health

-- Without sleep, bodies lose the opportunity to conduct many vital

functions that maintain health. For example, during sleep our bodies

produce hormones that help fight infection and repair cells and tissue.

-- The nervous system and immune system will not function properly without

sleep. Neurons also use this time to shut down and adjust back to

working order.

-- Even our memory is affected by sleep. The part of the brain that

maintains memory is in fact very active during non-waking hours.

Sleep-wake Cycle

-- In order to keep your sleep-wake cycle in order, it is best to go to

bed and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. If you

lose sleep during the weekends, you develop a "sleep debt" that

eventually will need to be repaid.

-- To alert your body that it's time to go to bed, follow a consistent

nighttime routine. Prepare your body for sleep with such relaxing

activities as reading or listening to soothing music.

-- Not everyone requires seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Some

people require only five, others 10. To find out how much sleep your

body needs, assess how you feel after different amounts of sleep. Pay

attention to your energy level, productivity and general well-being.

Make Changes

-- Lifestyle factors play a major role in sleep quality. Among them is

regular exercise, which helps provide deeper sleep. Exercise will also

help you fall asleep quicker, leaving you rested and ready for your

day.

-- Mental health and sleep have a great effect on one another. An

estimated 65 percent of Americans lose sleep because of stress.

Depression, in turn, can also lead to insomnia.

-- A proper sleeping environment is a quiet, dark room free of

interruption. Abnormally high or low temperatures will
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