The Foundation of Health: Why Sleep is Essential
Sleep is one of the most powerful, yet overlooked, components of good health. Research shows that adults who get less than 7 hours of sleep per night are at a higher risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and depression. Despite this, nearly one in three Americans suffers from sleep deprivation.
Sleep is when the body undergoes cellular repair, memory consolidation, and immune strengthening. According to Why We Sleep by Dr. Matthew Walker, individuals who consistently sleep less than six hours per night have a 36% higher risk of colorectal cancer and a 48% increased risk of heart disease.
How to Improve Sleep Naturally:
- Maintain a consistent bedtime and wake-up schedule, even on weekends.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol at least 4-6 hours before bed.
- Limit screen time for at least one hour before bedtime to reduce blue light exposure.
- Create an optimal sleep environment by keeping your room cool (65°F), dark, and quiet.
- Try relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, before bedtime.
At Empowered Health, our memberships include sleep discussions and sleep monitoring to help patients improve sleep hygiene and overall health.
Paul Monié, MD, FAAFP, MPH
Why Empowered Health.
Time between patient and physician is dictated increasingly by the health system and insurance reimbursement. At Empowered Health, we take a membership approach to primary care in Tri-Cities that challenges the standard healthcare model.
Five Most Important Areas of Men's Health
Subscribe to our series, "Optimizing Men's Health" for information on the top five areas men need to pay attention to TODAY to promote and improve their longevity.