Your life is reflection of how you sleep and your sleep is reflection of your life. The recent time change plays out in our body a bit like jet lag might. Springing forward is like flying from west to east, say from California to New York, while falling back is like flying from east to west. And as frequent flyers can attest, the eastbound change is much harder to acclimate to than westbound for most. The adjustment is much milder in the fall than in the spring time. Losing an hour of sleep springing forward increases our sleep debt.  Some studies in past have shown increased number of auto and industrial accidents and heart attacks the Monday after spring forward. It is important to remind our sleep deprived society to practice good sleep hygiene and habits year-around.

Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well being throughout your life. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety. The way you feel while you're awake depends in part on what happens while you're sleeping. During sleep your body is working to support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health. In children and teens, sleep also helps support growth and development. While you are sleeping, your brain is preparing for the next day. It enhances learning and problem solving skills.

The amount of sleep required by an average person is five minutes more! Sleep needs vary from person to person. It can vary from 16-18 hours in a newborn to 7-8 hours in average adults. Research cannot pinpoint an amount of sleep need by different people. It is important to pay attention to your own individual needs by assessing how you feel on different amounts of sleep. Are you productive, healthy and happy on seven hours of sleep? Are dependent on caffeine to get you through the day? Do you feel sleepy while driving?

We are already highly sleep deprived society. The damage from sleep deficiency can occur in an instant (such as a car crash), or it can harm you over time. For example ongoing sleep deficiency can raise your risk for some chronic health problems such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even early mortality. It can cause impaired judgment, mood swings, increased alcohol intake and decreased immunity.

You may want to discuss with your health care provider if you have problems with your sleep. Do you fall asleep while driving? Struggle to stay awake when inactive? Difficulty paying attention or concentrating? Have performance problems at work or school? Told by others you look tired? Have difficulty controlling your emotions? Feel or need to take naps almost daily?

Polysomnography (sleep study) is a test used to diagnose some of the sleep disorders. It records your brain waves, oxygen level, heart rate & breathing and leg movements and eye movements. It can diagnose sleep apnea, narcolepsy, movement disorders such as periodic limb movement disorder and rare disorders such as seizures during sleep.  Typically it is done with an overnight stay in a sleep center. Recently there has been a push for-in home sleep studies.

Sleep: Cheap substitute for caffeine!!!