The Proper Amount of Sleep Can Keep You Slim and Healthy
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that healthy people who sleep six hours a night or less are setting themselves up for an increased risk for heart disease. Other studies have shown health complications indicated in lack of sleep or disrupted sleep patterns. These include various cancers and diabetes. Other problems include fatigue (duh), chronic memory loss and fuzzy thinking, premature aging, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety disorder and immune system disorders. Lack of sleep lowers a blood protein called leptin and raises the hormone Grehlin. Leptin helps to control or suppress the appetite. Grehlin elevates feelings of hunger. I can personally attest to this. I am an early riser ( generally around 4:00 am). I get up early to do research and write this web site. It’s the only quiet time in my house! If I have not gotten at least seven hours of GOOD rest I tend to have strong hunger feelings soon after rising. With adequate rest this phenomenon does not happen to me. (FYI—I resist the temptation, though it’s not always easy.) It stands to reason that sleep deprivation can easily lead to obesity in adults as well as children. One sleep abnormality that can have serious complications is sleep apnea . Many people are not even aware they have apnea but wonder why they wake up so tired after what they thought was a “good” night’s rest. They are not aware that their bodies got no real rest. Apnea can be responsible for daytime accidents, TIA’s, hypertension, cardiovascular disease. Recent studies show that sleep apnea can be indicated in early Alzheimer’s disease because of lack of oxygen. Sleep apnea is often associated with loud snoring which can lead to another serious sleep aberration--lack of sleep for your partner! 
We don’t even have an alarm clock. If I have to get up at a certain time I make sure I go to bed eight hours before. If my husband doesn’t snore TOO much I can be assured of getting adequate rest.Just my opinion, but how many heart attacks do use suppose are been caused by a loud noise shattering someone’s sound sleep? It could be rather alarming don’t you think? I have known parents that let their young children stay up as late as adults! Children, especially need their rest if they are to learn. Children who lack for sleep will be irritable, poorly behaved and slow learners. They tend to have poor immune systems, allergies, frequent colds and short attention spans. A bedroom should be a comfortable, quiet and dark refuge, without nightlights. A comfortable bed and fairly cool temperature aid in a good night’s sleep. Sleepwear should be nonrestrictive (or nonexistent). Dr. Mark Hyman, on a recent segment with Martha Stewart, gave this bath formula for relaxing and getting a good night’s sleep: To a bath add 2 cups of Epsom salts, ½ cup baking soda and 10 drops lavender oil. Add one stressed human and soak for 20 minutes. Lavender helps reduce the stress related hormone cortisol. Magnesium helps the body to relax. Get a copy of Dr. Hyman’s book The UltraMind Solution. You CAN live a life without drugs! It just stands to reason that if one wants to be healthy, wealthy and wise, follow Mom’s instructions and go to bed early. Make sure to devote at least eight hours to rest and meditation. Wake up in the morning relaxed and refreshed. You'll be mentally sharp to run through your day.
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