Learning Challenge: Health Resource Reading

This weeks learning challenge from Learn by H.E.A.R.T was to learn about a health resource. I choose to read an article called Healthful Habits Can Help Induce Sleep Without The Pill. This article is by Patti Neighmond published in 2013.

Human Clock

According to the article about one-this of American adults say they struggle falling asleep. A handful of people have converted to using drugs to help them sleep. Is this the healthy way to go about this problem though? I don't think so. Even though a sleeping pill may help you sleep, it also may help you do a few other thing. In the article it tells about a girl named Nancy Sherman. She started taking sleeping pills, she would sleep but she would also wake up to some surprises. One night she woke up with her fingers still on the key board, another night in her bed with potato chips everywhere, then the next night to her kitchen filled with pots and pans as well as everything to make tacos.

According to Dr. John Winkelman, " the medication is working in all different parts of the brain, in many different systems and in particular on the system that is most important for inhibition." It is also researched that medications can remain high enough in the blood that people may have trouble driving the next morning. The Food and Drug administration was asked to lower the dosage in pills for women. This is due to the fact that a women metabolism is slower than a male, so the pill would stay in the body longer.

In the article it also tells of another women, Lori Peters, she didn't want to rely on a pill so she set some seeping habits. She started by setting a regular sleep schedule. She went to bed at the same time every night as well as woke up the same time every morning. This sets the body in a healthy rhythm. Next, she turned off her computer a couple hours before bed. This helps the body to relax and prepare for bed. It has been proven that the light from electronic promotes wakefulness. According to The Sleep Foundation "photoreceptor in the retina sense light and dark, signaling our brain about the status of the outside world and aligning our circadian rhythm to the external day-night cycle. Lori would then read a book, this would ease her mind and relax her. A routine bedtime will cue the body when it's time to sleep.

Baby sleeping panda: Flickr

A helpful sleep is critical for physical and mental health.