Your Health

In a Daily Slump? Tips to Make Sure You Get a Good Night's Sleep

Posted: 1/7/2012

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(NewsUSA) - Do you find yourself fatigued and yawning throughout the day? A mid-afternoon slump could really be trying to tell you something -- it's likely you aren't getting enough sleep!

The average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep per day to function properly. However, in a 2005 health survey, 30 percent of adults nationwide reported getting only about six hours of sleep per day. For many adults, fatigue seems inevitable. In a 2002 study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, 37 percent of adults reported being so sleepy during the day that it interfered with their daily activities. Much of that lost sleep can be attributed to background noises.

"Background noise is a problem for people when they are sleeping," said Dr. Rafael Pelayo, associate professor at the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic at Stanford University School of Medicine.

A study by Consumer Reports found that sound machines are nearly as effective as prescription sleep medications, and more effective than over-the-counter sleep medications or aids, without the side-effects. Dr. Pelayo recommends the Sound+Sleep Adaptive Sound Therapy Machine (www.soundofsleep.com) as part of a healthy sleep plan for people trying to achieve a better night's sleep with minimal use of drugs.

"There are a lot of 'dumb' sound machines out there that just play constant noise in an attempt to cover up these disruptions," says Dr. Pelayo. "The new Sound+Sleep responds to sudden background disturbances by adjusting its sound output to better mask the noise. For some people, the improved sound masking seems to help them sleep better."

Other tips for better nighttime sleep include:

* Set a regular bed time and stick to it.

* Eliminate caffeine before bed.

* Sleep without the lights or TV on.

* Get plenty of exercise during the day.

Visit www.soundofsleep.com for more information about how you can get a better night's sleep