GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – Recent research shows that sleep deprivation can affect your productivity and mental health.
As part of our Ask the Expert series, 7NEWS partnered with Bon Secours St. Francis to speak to medical experts about the amount of sleep you need to stay healthy.
It’s the sigh of relief you feel when you get into bed ready to recharge after a long day. But how long should we close our eyes?
“For the average healthy adult, it’s usually about seven to nine hours,” says Laura Alonso-Price.
Bon Secours nurse Laura Alonso-Price said that’s the amount of sleep the average adult should get each night. But for many people, that’s not always the case.
“We know that sleep deprivation makes it harder to process information. It also affects concentration and concentration. Sleep deprivation can also lead to slower reaction times,” Alonso-Price said.
According to the American Psychological Association, losing just two hours of sleep a night can have psychological effects, causing anxiety and several negative emotions.
“It can make you anxious and irritable, which can affect your relationships. And we know that’s especially true for children and teens,” says Alonso Price. said. “We know there is a strong relationship between sleep deprivation and mood.”
She said catching Z’s does more for your body than most people know. It affects your overall health.
“We know that poor sleep quality can also lead to mental fatigue, decreased attention, learning ability, memory, and executive function,” Alonso-Price said. .
But health experts say there are steps you can take if getting enough rest is difficult.
“Naps are very helpful for some people, and we want to make sure they’re napping early in the day,” Alonso-Price said. “The later you nap, the more likely it is to affect your night’s sleep.”
Keep in mind that health experts say too much sleep can affect your health. So it’s important to stick to a schedule, limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol around bedtime, and try to create a space where you can relax.
“I think sleep is a really important part of staying healthy. I think it’s commonly ignored and in the fast-paced world we live in, it’s important to always make it a priority. I don’t think so, but it’s a really important part of how your body rests and regenerates and how you stay healthy.” Alonso-Price said.
“I ask people to make sure they’re taking the right amount and to make sure they’re really in tune with what their body is telling them, whether it’s feeling tired or if they need more sleep. We recommend that you do so.”
Health experts said if you’re still feeling tired during the day despite getting more than 10 hours of sleep each night, you should talk to your doctor.
The same is true if you have inconsistent sleep and wake up frequently during the night.
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