Zzzzzzzzzz

Sleep is one of the pillars of health (the others being nutrition, exercise, and emotional wellbeing) that doesn’t get enough attention. Dishearteningly, people brag about how little sleep they “need” – everyone knows that office guy who “just runs on 3 hours a night” (and wants to let you know about this superhero power of his!) or the lady in accounting with the mug that claims “a yawn is a silent scream for coffee.” But is wearing sleeplessness as a badge of honor actually admirable? I posit: no. It’s actually a warning sign of health problems ahead and a canary in the coal mine of other out-of-whack habits.

The basics: how much is enough?

According to the National Sleep Foundation (think of all the sleep puns that probably get passed around that office!), sleep recommendations have changed as of just last March (2015). The amount for adults is 7-9 hours, while teens and children need more and older adults usually need less. Two-thirds of the population gets 6.25-8.75 hours a night, which means a significant portion of the population is on the “too little” side. People do need different amounts, as reflected by the expanded recommendations, so there is no hard line on getting 8 hours a night; just consider finding how much youneed to be as crucial as developing a habit of regular exercise. Getting enough sleep will:

• Increase immunity to communicable diseases and faster illness recovery;

• Help burn fat and balance metabolism (that article has an excellent overview of how sleep affects food choices and satiety);

• Aid recovery and repair of the body from hard exercise; and

• Improve cognition, mental clarity, and focus.

Just to put that into perspective: how much would the pharma industry charge for a pill that could do all of those things, with no negative side effects?

Quantity & quality

The “two Q’s” are a good thing to keep in mind for both carbohydrate consumption and sleep: 8 hours of tossing and turning won’t get you the kind of rest that you really need. Sleep is made up of cycles of deeper and lighter phases, generally known as “REM” (Rapid Eye Movement) and “NREM” (non-REM). REM sleep is deeper sleep, usually when vivid dreaming happens, and will usually occur 4-6 times per night. If you’re getting the right quantity of sleep but still feeling tired, a sleep study could help you figure out if the issue is sleep phasic – from a simple movement tracker like Fitbit, to a full clinical evaluation, there are many ways to determine what problems you may have. But when in doubt: try the cheapest fix first – an improved sleep ritual!

How to build a sleep ritual

A woman I coached recently mentioned she used over the counter sleep aids as well as a prescription to Ambien, and still didn’t have restful sleep. When I asked about the half hour before she goes to bed, she mentioned her routine is to watch 1-2 episodes of Friends. Now, I don’t know if her doctor inquired about that or not (he should have!), but while pharmacological solutions do have a place, they should always be tried only after lifestyle changes have been evaluated! The light emitted from TVs, phones, tablets, and gaming devices is similar to daylight – and daylight suppresses the production of melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone our bodies make naturally. Screen time should not be a part of your nighttime routine!

Remember Pavlov’s dogs, from his ground-breaking psychological experiment to study stimulus conditioning? The dogs heard a bell before receiving food consistently, and thereafter expected food whenever they heard the bell. The idea of a nighttime routineis similar – your brain will expect restful sleep after establishing a few consistent triggers. The upside is that many of these practices will also make you feel pampered and relaxed! Pick at least 3 elements from the below (designed to hit all of your senses), and implement them consistently for at least 2 weeks:

• Taste: chamomile or ginger tea

• Smell: pick a calming smell you enjoy, and light a candle or use a spray – lavender and lilac are popular

• Vision: dim lights or close eyes gently, read a book (not on a screen!)

• Touch: put on hand lotion, or gently massage neck (another opportunity for a scent; lavender essential oil can be massaged into temples)

• Hearing: put on music or a soundscape that relaxes you

On nights that it’s very hard to fall asleep and you’ve tried the routine already, look into melatonin supplementation. It’s my go-to for traveling in different time zones, or when I’m especially stressed and can’t fall asleep! (Of course, always consult your doctor, especially if you already have treatment for sleep conditions!) And a word about caffeine: if it’s affecting your ability to relax and sleep, it’s too much or taken too late in the day.

So ask yourself: Am I well-rested? Do I feel energized and engaged in my day? How often do I turn to substances to “pick me up?” Start giving your body and mind the rest it needs to perform!

Sarah Waybright MS, RD is the owner and founder of WhyFoodWorks and the team dietitian for Vegetable and Butcher. WhyFoodWorks does nutrition education through food in Washington, DC in corporate seminars. Vegetable and Butcher is a subscription-based service that delivers chef designed, dietitian approved, thoughtful prepared meals to health-conscious people in Washington, DC. You can find Sarah on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram to get food tips and nutrition - and of course, healthy recipes.