Tips for Getting a Good Night's Sleep

When was the last time you got a good night's sleep? Fifty percent of U.S. adults are chronically sleep deprived. Lack of sleep is known to contribute to heart disease and weight gain. According to a 2006 report in the American Heart Association publication Hypertension, adults who get less than five of sleep a night increase their risk of developing hypertension. If you can't get a full eight hours under the covers, take a nap during the day. A 2007 report in the Journal of Applied Physiology indicated that just thinking about a nap could reduce blood pressure!

To get a good night's sleep, follow these tips from Eldr magazine:

• Turn off the TV and phone
• Don't smoke and don't drink alcohol or caffeine in the evening
• Avoid stress and don't argue before going to bed
• Bathe or shower before bed to relax your body
• Put out the pets (Their movements may wake you during the night.)
• Keep your bedroom cool, close the curtains and shut the door
• Sleep on a firm mattress; use a neck pillow and quality bedding (A higher thread count makes for smoother, more comfortable sheets.)
• Read, do deep breathing or meditate right before sleep