If you are experiencing degrees of memory loss or are having trouble concentrating and functioning during the day, it could have a lot to do with your sleep habits. The amount of sleep you get every night can affect how well you retain information and it can cause you to have trouble performing everyday tasks. Studies show that getting too much or too little sleep can cause your brain to age faster. It’s also important to make sure that the sleep you do get every night is uninterrupted sleep.
What is the Right Amount of Sleep?
People who get 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night are more alert and have better cognitive skills the next day. The same is almost true for people who get 6 or 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. But people who get more than 8 hours of sleep or less than 6 hours of sleep a night or whose sleep is often interrupted through the night have a faster decrease in memory, vocabulary, and reasoning skills.Why is Uninterrupted Sleep So Important?
The brain uses the time you sleep to process and store memories. If you wake up several times a night and don’t get a full night of uninterrupted sleep, your brain has a harder time storing memories. And if even if you are getting plenty of uninterrupted sleep, if you aren’t in a deep sleep then that can also affect your mind’s ability to store memories.If you’ve ever woken up feeling refreshed and full of energy, then that is probably a good sign that you got the right amount of uninterrupted, deep sleep so your brain was able to do its job and also had a chance to rest. On those days when you wake up feeling groggy and have little energy or motivation to do much, that is probably because your sleep was interrupted, you didn’t get enough sleep, or you weren’t in a deep sleep all night.
What to Do if You Aren’t Sleeping Well
If you think or you are sure you aren’t getting the right amount of sleep every night, or you have trouble staying asleep, you can get yourself into a calming routine before bed to help relax your body and your brain. Sometimes doing things like taking a warm bath or drinking a hot cup of tea can help to relax you enough that it will improve how well you sleep. If your brain is receiving too much stimulation too close to the time you go to sleep, it will make sleep difficult. Try reading a few chapters of a good book rather than watching TV before bed and you may notice a positive change in your sleep pattern.Since there are many health problems that can cause sleep problems, it might be a good idea to make a visit to see your doctor. Stress, depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, cardiovascular problems, and so many other things can contribute to poor sleep habits. Your doctor will be able to talk with you and run tests if necessary to determine the cause of your sleep problems.
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