Getting your shut eye the best way possible

Ever notice how the more connected we become, the less we sleep? Every time a new app is added to your iPhone or Facebook, the sleeping pill industry adds a new and improved way to get your shut eye.

Don’t believe us that sleep deprivation has become a nation-wide issue?

• Ambien sold more than $2 billion worth of promises of restful slumber in 2004.
• Drowsy drivers cause more than 50,000 traffic accidents and 1,500 traffic-related fatalities yearly in the US.
• In 2003, 37% of Americans polled admitted to falling asleep at the wheel.
• In 2003, New Jersey made driving drowsy a chargeable offence.

Without sleep our senses dull, productivity decreases and mistakes and accidents are more common. A study performed by researchers at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois says longer periods of REM (the deep, healing sleep) are absolutely essential for our mental health as well.

But if you’re connected to your boss 24/7 and you snooze by the glow of your Blackberry, how do you get more sleep?

Simple answer – take back your life.

Longer answer – commit taking the idea of natural sleep aids seriously…

• Turn your cell phone off once in a while. The world will still go on.
• Don’t read emails before bed. The electronic light signals your brain to get moving and the content of those emails may block the peace of mind you need to rest well.
• Take a shower or bath before bed – the warm water relaxes muscles and the cool air afterwards tells your body it’s time to snuggle in for a rest.
• Exercise in the morning or more than 2 hours before you go to bed.

Like proper nutrition and exercise, sleep is essential to good health. A better night’s sleep – with natural sleep aids – boosts your immune system, rejuvenates your body and improves your memory.

Do you really need another reason to turn down your boss once in a while? “Not tonight, I have a headache.”

Do you use sleep aids or natural sleep aids to fall asleep?