North Oaks Sleep Disorders Center Observes National Sleep Awareness Week®

Only half of all Americans sleep well, according to polls by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). People who sleep well are, in general, happier and healthier. But when sleep is poor or inadequate, people feel tired or fatigued; relationships and work productivity may suffer. NSF polls find that while many adults say they are often tired or fatigued, most don’t take steps to improve their sleep habits.

As the nation prepares for the return of Daylight Saving Time, Sunday, March 9, NSF and North Oaks Sleep Disorders Center urges residents to sleep in on Sunday morning, instead of losing an hour of sleep. “Sleep: As Important as Diet and Exercise (Only Easier!)” is the theme of National Sleep Awareness Week® this year. It’s good advice, not only for when the clocks change, but throughout the year. National Sleep Awareness Week®, the annual health promotion campaign sponsored by NSF, takes place during the days leading up to Daylight Saving Time; this year it is March 3 - March 9. It is a perfect time to evaluate the amount of sleep you usually get, make a commitment to get the recommended seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep every night during this week and then make it a normal routine.

“It’s important to remember that sleep is a necessity, not a luxury,” shares Lauren Davis, M.D., North Oaks Sleep Disorders Center Medical Director. “You are how you sleep. Nighttime sleep affects your daily life…your mood, your behavior and your performance. So don’t cheat on your sleep.”

NSF and North Oaks Sleep Disorders Center offer the following tips to help adjust to the return to Daylight Saving Time:

Try to sleep a bit more than usual a few nights prior to and immediately following the time change to help reduce any sleep debt you may be carrying.
Take a nap in the afternoon on Sunday if you need it, but not within a few hours of your regular bedtime. Remember, napping too close to bedtime may disrupt nighttime sleep.

National Sleep Awareness Week® is also a good time to learn more about sleep problems, particularly how to recognize them in yourself and in family members. Frequent problems with sleeping or daytime sleepiness may signal a sleep disorder that may be treatable.

For more information about the North Oaks Sleep Disorders Center please click here.