It’s no secret that a good night’s sleep can do wonders for your mood. But did you know? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than a third of American adults are not getting enough sleep regularly.

Why is this? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Memphis provides some answers below.

How Many Hours of Sleep Should I Get?

The average adult should get between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. Americans currently average 6.8 hours of sleep per night, which is trending downward every year.

While seven to nine hours of sleep are recommended, it’s possible that you might feel rested on less sleep. That may be fine for now, but it will likely cause adverse effects in the long run. According to a 2018 study of more than 10,000 people, the body’s ability to function declines if sleep isn’t in the seven to eight hour range.

Negative Effects of Not Getting Enough Sleep

• Worsened memory
• Increased moodiness
• Weight gain
• Increase blood pressure
• Diminished balance and coordination

How Can I Make Sure I Sleep Well?

It’s really all about what you do during the day before bedtime. If your days are full of unhealthy eating, no exercise and lots of screen time, you can expect your sleep to suffer.

On the contrary, if you up your intake of healthy foods and exercise and take steps to decrease your amount of screen time, your sleep quality will likely improve. Below are some more suggestions on how to improve the quality of your sleep.

Things to Do to Help You Sleep

• Stay hydrated throughout the day.
• Implement and maintain a daily routine.
• Try a melatonin supplement.
• Minimize late-night snacking.
• Read before bed instead of looking at your phone.

We hope that we’ve put you on a path toward quality sleep! If you feel like your health is struggling due to a lack of sleep, don’t hesitate to visit us at AFC Urgent Care Memphis.