Most people think sleep is not that important. After all, you aren’t really doing anything while you’re asleep, right? Wrong. The time you spend sleeping is when your body takes care of repair and maintenance that keeps you healthy and functioning at your best.

Lack of sleep has been associated with a number of health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and depression.

Furthermore, being drowsy is a contributor to many injuries, including motor vehicle accidents.

For most adults, eight hours of sleep is ideal. Young people need even more. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 10 to 11 hours of sleep each day for school-age children, including naps.

If this seems like a lot to you, you aren’t alone. It is estimated that 25 percent of Americans don’t get enough sleep.

So what should you do if you aren’t getting enough sleep, or if you’re having trouble sleeping? You could try counting sheep, but the CDC has the following tips:

1. Go to bed at the same time each night and rise at the same time each morning.
2. Make sure your bedroom is a quiet, dark and relaxing environment, which is neither too hot nor too cold.
3. Make sure your bed is comfortable and use it only for sleeping and not for other activities, such as reading, watching TV or listening to music. Remove TVs, computers and other “gadgets” from the bedroom.
4. Physical activity may help promote sleep, but not within a few hours of bedtime.
5. Avoid large meals before bedtime.

If you still are having trouble sleeping, it may be time to talk with your physician and see if there could be another reason why you are unable to sleep. Some medical conditions, such as insomnia and sleep apnea, could be the reason behind your restless nights.

Lack of sleep can affect your mood and your ability to function during the day. If you find yourself tired or drowsy, try adjusting your schedule to make more time for sleep. Sleep is an important part of good health, and you deserve to get a good night’s rest.

Source: Cortney Bloomer, Nevada Appeal