TOSSIN' AND TURNIN'

If you toss and turn and just don't sleep well, you're not alone. 83 percent of U.S. adults admit they don't get a good night's sleep on a regular basis, according to the 2013 Rx Sleep Survey conducted by Harris Interactive.
Why are we tossing and turning instead of sleeping?
  1. Stress and anxiety: 48 percent
  2. Inability to turn off thoughts: 47 percent
  3. Pain: 38 percent
  4. Being overtired: 32 percent
  5. Background noise: 23 percent
  6. Children or pets: 23 percent
  7. Difficulty breathing: 18 percent
  8. Spouses or significant others: 17 percent

As important as our sleep is and as rotten as we feel the next day when we don't sleep well, 71 percent say they would rather find a natural way to sleep and not rely on prescription medication. No matter the cause of your sleep problems, it is important to establish and maintain healthy sleep habits. The National Sleep Foundation offers these tips to help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
At night:
  • Use the bed and bedroom for sleep and sex only.
  • Establish a regular bedtime routine and a regular sleep-wake schedule.
  • Do not eat or drink too much close to bedtime.
  • Create a sleep-promoting environment that is dark, cool and comfortable.
  • Avoid disturbing noises. Consider a bedside fan or white-noise machine to block out disturbing sounds.

During the day:
  • Consume less or no caffeine, particularly late in the day.
  • Avoid alcohol and nicotine, especially close to bedtime.
  • Exercise, but not within three hours before bedtime.
  • Avoid naps, particularly in the late afternoon or evening.
  • Keep a sleep diary to identify your sleep habits and patterns that you can share with your doctor.

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