Zzzzzz

by Cheng-Ling Chen — November 2, 2007

My cat Miso sleeps up to twenty hours a day. In fact, she is curled up into a snail of a ball on my lap, sleeping right now. Watching this Olympic sleeper makes me curious about sleep. When things get hectic in my life, sleep is the first thing to go. Probably not a great trap to fall into. Sleep is the time our bodies do most of their repair work; muscle tissues are restored. Growth hormones are secreted, important not only for children, but also throughout adulthood for rebuilding tissues.

So maybe I don't need as many hours of sleep as Miso, but how many is adequate? I have always heard that getting 8 hours is best. But upon investigation, I am surprised to find that there is no magic number. Experts say that the amount of sleep necessary depends on a variety of factors, including: age, degree of sleep deprivation, inherited genetic need, and quality of sleep. Apparently, the best way to determine adequate sleep is whether you wake up feeling refreshed or if you get sleepy during the day. Well, that's the last time I lose sleep over that one (you know how that happens, you try to sleep, can't. You watch the clock tick away, trying to sleep but all the while stressing about not being able to, which of course adds to further sleeplessness...).
Here are some tips from the National Sleep Foundation for healthy sleep:

• Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule including weekends.
• Establish a relaxing bedtime routine such as a bath, reading a book, or listening to soothing music (mine is pillow talk with my better half).
• Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable, and cool.
• Use the bedroom only for sleep (well, sleep and that other exquisite activity that makes us feel so alive).
• Finish eating at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
• Exercise regularly, but not right before sleep.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime.
• Avoid nicotine close to bedtime (say, maybe avoid this one altogether).

Sweet dreams!