Are you getting enough sleep? Is your body well rested? What are some of the signs and symptoms of a sleep deprived individual? What are the effects of lack of enough sleep? We talked to a senior physician here at Frontline Emergency Room about the importance of sleep and here is what he had to say:
Sleep is very crucial. After a long day’s work, it is important to get enough rest and rejuvenate your body before you can go again the next day. Every adult should ensure that they get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep every single day for their bodies to be in optimal conditions. Unfortunately, due to complications, stress and sleep disorders, some people don’t get enough sleep and it takes a toll on their lives.
So, how can you find out if you are getting enough sleep? Here are some of the signs that are indicative of a sleep deprived individual;
Daytime tiredness
Ever seen some people yawning and sleeping at work in the afternoon? Ever seen students sleeping on their desks in class? These are all signs of people who are not getting enough sleep at night. Such people will look jaded during the day time and will always get very little done.
Poor concentration
The other sign of lack of enough sleep, is poor concentration both in class and at work. People who don’t get enough sleep, will always have a very short concentration span. The longest they can concentrate is about twenty minutes and they will starting dozing off or be distracted by other things around them.
Mood changes
People with insufficient sleep, will always be very moody. They are always irritable and even the smallest of things will irk them. People with these symptoms often are very emotional and don’t engage in meaningful conversations.
Caffeine dependence to get through the day
The other sign that a person is not sleeping enough, is if they need caffeine throughout the day. Such people will always be docile and inactive before they take their caffeine and will appear to be rejuvenated once they have taken a cup of coffee. If you depend on coffee to get through the day, then you need to think about your sleeping habits.
Red watery eyes
The other sign of lack of enough sleep, is red watery eyes which are very sore. You will always have the urge to close your eyes for a few seconds and catch some sleep during the entire day. These are signs that you are not getting sufficient sleep and need to start sleeping for longer.
Unproductiveness
The other sign of a person that doesn’t get enough sleep, is unproductivity. People who don’t get enough sleep can only get so much done. They get tired after getting just a little work done and will whine all day about doing a lot of work.
Forgetfulness
The other sign to look out for is memory loss. People who don’t get enough sleep will always forget things easily. They can therefore not do what is expected of them as required.
How to improve your sleeping habits
Get Treatment
If you suspect that you are suffering from a sleeping disorder, you should talk to your doctor on the same for proper medication. The medication can simply be therapy but will work miracles for you.
Stick to a sleeping schedule
The other thing you will need to do to fix your sleeping schedule is to stick to a sleeping schedule. If you are going to bed at 8 p.m. every night, always ensure that you are asleep latest by 9 p.m.
Ensure that your bed is comfortable
The other reason why you probably aren’t getting enough sleep, is because of an uncomfortable sleeping place. Invest in a high quality mattress and bed and ensure that it is not ridden with bedbugs and other bugs that might be making your sleep uncomfortable.
Exercise on a daily basis
Exercising on a daily basis will help you get better rest at night. The fatigue from daytime exercising will help induce sleep quickly and you will be able to catch enough sleep at night. The exercising could be anything from swimming, jogging to weightlifting.
Wake up early
One thing that disorients you and affects your sleeping routine, is sleeping in for too long. Sleeping in for too long will affect the time you go to bed and sooner or later, this will take a toll on your life and work. Always wake up by 6 a.m. and sleeping at night will never be a problem to you.
Watch your diet
Your eating habits could also be affecting your sleeping routines. Ensure that you have your supper on time and give yourself some time before you can go to bed. Avoid drinking caffeine and other drugs at night as they can affect your sleeping.
Give us a call here at Frontline Emergency Room
Need to find out if you are having enough sleep? Give us a call here at Frontline emergency room and we will medically examine you to determine if you are having enough sleep.
