Overtired? Your Brain May Eat Itself!
Flipping through movies on NetFlix, you might see a science fiction movie where your brain starts to eat itself. Perhaps there is a movie with that storyline; if not, there should. In this case, the storyline is real.
The Cleveland Clinic says more than 100 million Americans of all ages are not getting adequate sleep. The American Sleep Association reports that at least 40 million Americans experience sleep disorders every year. Another 20 million have an occasional sleep issue.
Inadequate sleep can have untoward consequences on work performance, interpersonal relationships, health, and safety. A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience says that when sleep deprived your brain feeds off the neurons and synaptic connections in your brain.
Your Brain Eats Itself!
Yes, your brain starts to eat itself. This means if you are not getting the right amount of sleep, it may cause harm long term. It could also explain why a chronic lack of sleep puts people at risk of Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.
A scary 40 percent of Americans sleep six hours or less a day, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the New York Post, it means that 40.6 million adult brains are potentially gobbling themselves up.
Lack of Sleep and Memory Loss
This is not the first time lack of sleep has been connected to memory loss and other health issues, especially as we age. The regenerative body process is linked to a number of chronic diseases, including obesity and depression.
In a 2013 study by the University of California, Berkeley scientists found a connection between poor sleep and memory storage. That study showed sleep deprivation is connected with brain degeneration and memory loss in older adults. A statement at the time by UC Berkeley sleep researcher Matthew Walker said it boils down to a difference in the quality of sleep we get as we grow older.
So if you are having some sleep issues, how do you get better sleep without having to resort to drugs?
Tips for Better Sleep
Here is are some tips, from the Cleveland Clinic, on how to get better sleep:
Create an optimal sleep environment by making sure that your bedroom is comfortable, cool, quiet, and dark. If noise keeps you awake, try using background sounds like "white noise" or earplugs. If light interferes with your sleep, try a sleep mask or blackout curtains.
Think positive. Avoid going to bed with a negative mindset, such as "If I don't get enough sleep tonight, how will I ever get through the day tomorrow?"
Avoid using your bed for anything other than sleep and intimate relations. Do not watch television, eat, work, or use computers in your bedroom.
Try to clear your mind before bedtime by writing things down or making a to-do list earlier in the evening. This is helpful if you tend to worry and think too much in bed at night.
Establish a regular bedtime and a relaxing routine each night by taking a warm bath, listening to soothing music, or reading. Try relaxation exercises, meditation, biofeedback, or hypnosis. Wake up at the same time each morning, including days off and vacations.
Stop clock-watching. Turn the clock around and use only the alarm for waking up. Leave your bedroom if you can not fall asleep in 20 minutes. Read or engage in a relaxing activity in another room.
Avoid naps. If you are extremely sleepy, take a nap. But limit naps to less than 30 minutes and no later than 3 pm.
Avoid stimulants (coffee, tea, cola, cocoa, and chocolate) and heavy meals for at least 4 hours before bedtime. Light carbohydrate snacks such as milk, yogurt, or crackers may help you fall asleep easier.
Avoid alcohol and tobacco for at least 4 hours before bedtime and during the night.
Learn more about sleep from the Cleveland Clinic by clicking here.
Being Prepared for the Consequences of Aging
There are many reasons why, as we age, we suffer from health issues, including memory loss. Our health declines, we have mobility problems, dementia, and the frailty of aging - all start to happen to many people as they get older.
There are consequences to aging. Being prepared makes it easier for everyone in your family. An advance plan for the financial costs and burdens of aging should be part of any successful retirement plan. We can't control our health even though we can take proactive steps to make the quality of our health better. However, with better health comes longevity which, in itself, is a major risk of needing long-term health care.
Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance will safeguard your assets and reduce the burden this extended care places on your family. The guaranteed tax-free benefits from an LTC policy give you access to your choice of quality care services, including care at home. Your loved ones will also have more time to be family instead of caregivers.
Long-term care will impact you, your family, your savings, and your lifestyle. Affordable LTC Insurance will add peace of mind so you and your family can sleep better at night.
Don't lose sleep over your aging … an advance plan will make it easier for you and your family. Act prior to retirement for the most affordable options.