What is Sleep Hygiene?
When you think of hygiene, you probably think of routine activities like brushing your teeth, or washing your hands before meals. In fact, the term hygiene relates to any practice that helps maintain health and prevent disease. It just so happens that sleep does both, and there are sleep clinic studies that prove it!
So, while sleep hygiene has nothing to do with cleanliness, it can certainly improve your quality of life. The concept focuses on anything specifically related to your sleep habits, including:
Your activities before going to bed
Your bedtime routine
What time you go to bed
Your sleep environment
What time you wake up
Diet and exercise
All of these factors play a role in the quality of sleep you experience, which can be further affected by conditions like snoring and sleep apnea. The more you can improve upon your sleep hygiene, the better slumber you’ll enjoy.
Sleep Is Underappreciated
Most people are aware that sleep is essential to their well-being in a general sense. Yet, we are often too distracted in our daily lives to give it the consideration it deserves. Our hectic work schedules, coupled with the constant bombardment of digital media, often get in the way of enjoying a restful night’s sleep.
Determining Your Sleep Needs
Based on the findings of the National Sleep Foundation, the average adult requires between seven and nine hours of sleep. Of course, there are exceptions where certain individuals can function on fewer hours, but it’s rare. Most of us would start to experience physical, mental and emotional complications if we were continually deprived of shut-eye. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you may already notice the effects of this.
One thing we recommend at our sleep clinic is to be observant. Before you roll out of bed in the morning, note how long you slept and see how you feel. Are you feeling full of energy and ready to get on with the day, or could you use another hour in bed? If it’s the latter, you may need to adjust your sleep hygiene routine.
Evaluate Your Sleep Environment
When providing clients with sleep apnea solutions, one of the things we look at is the sleeping environment. Is your bed comfortable enough? Do the curtains block out enough light? Is the sound of passing vehicles overly disruptive? These are all things that can be addressed in order to provide you with the quality of sleep you need and deserve.
Our care-for-life commitment means not only will we helps you improve your sleep hygiene and overall quality of life, but continually monitor it so you can adjust your therapy and routines as life changes. Talk to a clinician at any of our sleep clinics to learn more.
