Don't Cheat Yourself In Our 24/7 Society
Too many Americans are short changing themselves on sleep, to spend more time at work, at play, or chatting on the Internet. On an average week day, Americans get 6 to 7 hrs of sleep per night, while research suggests we need 8 hrs. Lack of sleep affects our ability to judge accurately.A lack of sleep puts at risk our productivity, safety, and health. Research shows that sleep deprived people increase their caloric consumption by as much as 15%, while their performance on certain tests is significantly worse than after 1-2 alcoholic drinks. Chronic loss of sleep may increase the risk of diabetes since the insulin secretion can be impaired by up to 30%. Sleep deprivation also contributes to mental depression; increases the risk of colds and infections; and decreases the ability to handle stress. Sleep debt has a harmful effect on endocrine function similar to that seen in normal aging.
Sleep resettles us emotionally, cognitively, and immunologically. Sleep is a time of renewal and restoration. Christ suggested we need adequate periods of rest (Mark 6:31), which are essential to the health of body and mind
Author: Winston Craig, MPH, PhD, RD.
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