Wednesday, February 20, 2008
ZZZZZZZZZZZZ
How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
As a working mom, who gets up at 1:30am during the week, I get about 5 hours of sleep at night. That doesn't include the two or three times a night that I'm up to get the little ones something to drink or take them to the bathroom. I try to catch a nap during the day for about an hour when my youngest naps and my pre-schooler is in class. But some nights it's 2 to 3 hours of sleep. I know there are lots of parents out there just like me. So what does it mean?
According to the National Sleep Foundation: How much sleep you needs depends on you. Ok, I think it's safe to say 3 hours isn't enough. On average 7 would be ideal. Less than that can put you at risk for:
* Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents
* Increase in body mass index – a greater likelihood of obesity due to an increased appetite caused by sleep deprivation
* Increased risk of diabetes and heart problems
* Increased risk for psychiatric conditions including depression and substance abuse
* Decreased ability to pay attention, react to signals or remember new information
Here's what is interesting: On the other hand, some research has found that long sleep durations (nine hours or more) are also associated with increased illness, accidents and death.
Researchers say that both sleeping too little and sleeping too much may put you at risk!!! Yikes!
For more information here is the website:
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2417325/k.3EAC/How_Much_Sleep_Do_We_Really_Need.htm
I want to know how much sleep you get, and I'll post it on my blog!
email me at mpiani@kpho.com
***Gary writes: I routinely sleep 7-8 hours per night. And, Marya, you know how important REM [rapid eye movement/dreaming/ ] stage of sleep is. If memory serves me [and it should since I sleep so well !] , REM occurs typically in the latter stage of our sleep cycle [closer to our wake-up]. This resting/rejuvination period is when we are most at rest. So-if you were dreaming, you probably had a good rest.
Also, Marya.. POWER-naps [15-30 minute] are very beneficial in preventing the physiological "drain" that results from lack of rest. - Thanks Gary!!!
As a working mom, who gets up at 1:30am during the week, I get about 5 hours of sleep at night. That doesn't include the two or three times a night that I'm up to get the little ones something to drink or take them to the bathroom. I try to catch a nap during the day for about an hour when my youngest naps and my pre-schooler is in class. But some nights it's 2 to 3 hours of sleep. I know there are lots of parents out there just like me. So what does it mean?
According to the National Sleep Foundation: How much sleep you needs depends on you. Ok, I think it's safe to say 3 hours isn't enough. On average 7 would be ideal. Less than that can put you at risk for:
* Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents
* Increase in body mass index – a greater likelihood of obesity due to an increased appetite caused by sleep deprivation
* Increased risk of diabetes and heart problems
* Increased risk for psychiatric conditions including depression and substance abuse
* Decreased ability to pay attention, react to signals or remember new information
Here's what is interesting: On the other hand, some research has found that long sleep durations (nine hours or more) are also associated with increased illness, accidents and death.
Researchers say that both sleeping too little and sleeping too much may put you at risk!!! Yikes!
For more information here is the website:
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2417325/k.3EAC/How_Much_Sleep_Do_We_Really_Need.htm
I want to know how much sleep you get, and I'll post it on my blog!
email me at mpiani@kpho.com
***Gary writes: I routinely sleep 7-8 hours per night. And, Marya, you know how important REM [rapid eye movement/dreaming/ ] stage of sleep is. If memory serves me [and it should since I sleep so well !] , REM occurs typically in the latter stage of our sleep cycle [closer to our wake-up]. This resting/rejuvination period is when we are most at rest. So-if you were dreaming, you probably had a good rest.
Also, Marya.. POWER-naps [15-30 minute] are very beneficial in preventing the physiological "drain" that results from lack of rest. - Thanks Gary!!!
Posted at 2:41 AM by Marya Piani
