Monday, October 22, 2012

Sweet Dreams

If you need an alarm to wake up in the morning, you are not getting enough sleep. You have an internal clock and if that doesn’t correspond to your daily schedule you may have “social jet lag.” Socially jet-lagged people are three times more likely to be overweight and performance at work and in school may suffer.

Your biologic clock works best if you awaken at the same time every day. That said, your body needs enough time to complete the metabolic work of sleep:  tissue growth, energy is restored and hormones are released. The brain cools down and consolidates memories: much like a computer rebooting after having too many open programs.

Go to bed at least eight hours before you plan to awaken. Establish a regular relaxing, not alerting, bedtime routine. Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet and cool. Turn off all screens well before bedtime.

When you do get up, try to get some sunshine on your face. You will get into gear faster.


The Harvard point of view.

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