Every evening, people park their cars after driving throughout the day. On other days, car owners just want to ‘rest’ their cars and use another means of transport. Most car experts will tell you that resting the car engine prevents overheating and breakdowns so the car can last longer. Just like car engines, our body also needs rest through enough sleep and taking breaks.
A good sleep is determined by the number of hours one sleeps in any 24-hour period. The exact amount needed varies depending on the age of the person. Sleeping boosts mental wellbeing, immune system, and helps prevent medical conditions like obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Below are useful tips to help get enough rest.
- Know your requirements. Children less than 1 year old require 12 – 17 hours, for 1- 2 year olds, 11 – 14 hours, for 3 – 4 year olds, 10 – 13 hours, for 5- 17 year olds, 8 -12 hours and for an adult (18+) 6 – 8 hours of sleep within a 24-hour period. To know whether you are getting enough sleep, you should feel refreshed, not tired and not longing for more sleep as you go about your activities during the day.
- Know your sleeping pattern: The emphasis is on meeting your sleep requirement within a 24- hour period. You can decide to get all that in one sleeping time or in different sleeping times. Work with what suits you best.
- Put your smart devices away and on silence when sleeping as they are likely to distract and/or disturb your sleep.
- Make sure your bed is clear of all items so it becomes comfortable for sleeping.
- Do not carry any worry to bed as it will prevent you from having a restful sleep.
- You sleep better when you set a regular sleeping time. So commit to regularly getting enough sleep.
- Cut down on caffeine foods and alcohol as they are likely to delay sleeping time.
- Make a conscious effort to take breaks, leave from work and go on vacations.
- If you feel unable to sleep because you are stressed or seriously worried, you should seek health services.
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Written and reviewed by: Irene Danquah, ANutr
Last page review: 23/12/2021
Next page review: 31/12/2024