Sleep Tight, Every Night

When you find yourself tossing and turning and unable to sleep, you should always get out of bed. Go to another room and do something relaxing, like reading a good book or listening to calming music. Difficulty falling asleep often leads to frustration and anxiety, neither of which will help you sleep. These are also feelings that you don't want to associate with your sleep environment. If you are unable to sleep after 15 minutes of trying, leave the room and do something relaxing for 10 to 20 minutes. This will make you calm and sleep-ready when your head hits the pillow.

How much sleep did you get last night? If you're one of the 30% of the population that suffers from a sleep disorder, the answer you would likely give is "not enough". The next question I ask you is: how much is not enough? Well, when I pose this one to my patients I get a large assortment of numbers, often ranging from zero to seven hours. You may be thinking "seven hours, that seems like a lot of sleep to me" The truth is that, for many people, it's not enough. We are all very different and our sleep requirements vary. There are some people that can function on four hours of sleep, and there are others that need eight or nine to effectively go about their daily routine. Sleep requirements also vary with age, with children needing more than adults. The type of sleeper you are also changes. Children who sleep poorly may grow up to be fantastic sleepers, while others who sleep well during childhood may go on to develop sleep problems later in life. As a c...