Page 80 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2019

HEALTHY LIVING zzzzzzzz
Getting a Good Night's Sleep
story by Lynn Lofton photo courtesy of Garden Park Medical Center TIPS
ow more than ever it seems like sleep is a commodity. Between our busy schedules and heightened stress levels, a good night’s sleep isn’t always easy to come by. While it is difficult to achieve, a restful night can make all the difference.
“Difficulty sleeping seems to be more and more common these days,” says Nicole Duplichien, Director of Respiratory Care at Garden Park Medical Center. “According to a 2014 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 34 percent of South Mississippians reported sleeping less than seven hours per night. Most adults need eight hours to feel truly energized and refreshed.”
to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Daily Habits
• Get on a regular sleep schedule. • Find time for daily exercise.
• Avoid naps during the day
and resist the urge to “clock-
watch” at night.
• Avoid large meals, caffeine and
alcohol before bed.
Practice a Relaxing Bedtime Ritual
• Take a warm shower or bath.
• Drink a warm cup of chamomile
tea.
• Allow 30 minutes to an hour to
wind down before going to bed.
• Try a mindfulness exercise. Focus on your breathing and bring your
attention to the present. Resist the urge to focus on things you can’t fix right now.
Create a Restful Sleeping Environment
• Keep your bedroom cool. Between
60-68 degrees is optimum.
• Keep your bedroom free from
noise and light.
• Make sure your mattress and
pillows are comfortable and
supportive.
• Eliminate work materials,
computers or TVs from the room.
zzzzzz
According to Duplichien, there are
a plethora of reasons why people might struggle to get a good night’s sleep. “We are working longer hours, have longer commutes, and many individuals in the service, healthcare and casino industry perform shift work with irregular hours,” she says. Other causes include poor sleeping or lifestyle habits, medical conditions like sleep apnea, high levels of stress, depression and anxiety as well as environmental factors, such as too much noise or light.
Nicole Duplichien
“Everyone needs a good night’s sleep,” says Duplichien.” Routine lack of sleep can contribute to other health concerns such as depression, a lowered immunity, obesity or heart disease. If you continue to have difficulty sleeping, talk to your health care provider. They may have additional insight to offer or suggest a prescription medication.”
80 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • March 2019
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net