Getting the right amount of sleep each night is important.  When healthcare providers look at overall health, they typically ask about eating habits and the amount of activity they get, along with sleep.  Sleep is so important, the National Sleep Foundation launched a Sleep Awareness Week in 1998.  It kicks off each year with the start of daylight saving time when most people lose an hour of sleep.  

While many people can get away with one or two nights of little sleep, after that it can really be detrimental to your health long term. Tim Schultz, an OSF HealthCare respiratory therapy manager says that sleep is super important not just because of the cognitive health it provides.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends different daily sleep amounts depending on age.  Newborn to 5-year-old need between 10-16 hours of sleep, children from 6-18 need 8-11 hours per day, and adults and seniors should get anywhere from 7-9 hours of sleep according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Lack of proper sleep has been shown to have negative impacts including poor performance to struggling to keep your eyes open on long drives. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that fatigue is a cause of 100,000 motor vehicle crashes each year in the US.  In order to stay awake, many people have resorted to over-consuming caffeine. Many health care providers recommend good sleep habits, or “Sleep Hygiene.”

A white noise machine or a smartphone app may help you sleep through the night but Schultz recommends if you are having trouble sleeping stay off your phone before you go to bed. He also says to do research before taking Melatonin and ask your doctor how much you should take. 

If you have tried everything and are still struggling with sleep, check with your doctor to see if you suffer from sleep apnea or insomnia, and see if a sleep study is for you. 

As always visit with your primary health care physician for any sleep-related questions you have.