Resolution 8: Sleep 8 or More Hours a Night

Resolution 8: Sleep 8 or More Hours a Night

Those who know me well, know I am a fan of sleeping: I have often been heard saying, "If sleeping was an Olympic event, you would find me on the podium." Once I am cuddling with my blankets and tucked tightly beneath my down comforter, the room light could suddenly be flipped on or a plethora of squad cars could loudly zip up my block, yet I would remain sound asleep. It is for this reason that some may find it interesting that my goal for this week is to insure that I get enough sleep. However, simply because I am good at sleeping doesn't mean I get enough of it.  

The number of hours of sleep on
weeknights, according to the NYT Magazine,
that American adults get on average.

I am not alone in this: many Americans get too little sleep on average. According to a New York Times Magazine story written in 2011, 72% of Americans get under eight hours, or exactly 8 hours, of sleep a night (the average quantity of hours equating to 6.9). This same article indicates that most adults need at least eight hours of sleep a night in order to maintain full concentration abilities on a day to day basis: I guess that means most of us here in America sit at work, talk to our bosses, and run our lives with a less than ideal concentration level. Scary. Anyway, I digress. Additionally, according to a Harvard report released in 2006, getting enough sleep is important for the following six reasons:

1. Learning and memory: Sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation. In studies, people who’d slept after learning a task did better on tests later.
2. Metabolism and weight: Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite.
3. Safety: Sleep debt contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep during the daytime. These lapses may cause falls and mistakes such as medical errors, air traffic mishaps, and road accidents.
4. Mood: Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness. Too little sleep can also leave you too tired to do the things you like to do.
5. Cardiovascular health: Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels, and irregular heartbeat.
6. Disease: Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body’s killer cells. Keeping up with sleep may also help fight cancer.

All signs point to a need for sleep, yet sometimes I just can not get enough with my life as busy as it is. On the weekends, typically, I easily sleep nine or more hours each night; however, on school nights, I average around 7.25 hours each evening. It is for this reason, with an extremely busy week ahead of me, this eight-hours-of-sleep resolution is an appropriate one. 

A typical "My Plate" report for me this week

As for last week's resolution: I was extremely successful. For seven days in a row, I was able to make my daily My Plate report light up the vegetable wedge! In fact, for three days this past week I was able to light up all five sections. This is somewhat surprising, since in the past I have always struggled eating a balanced diet, but this week I did it (and it was not even all that hard--it just took a little planning when my husband and I planned our lunches for the week).  Albeit, I feel no difference in my body having eaten a more balanced diet this past week, but I can not expect results instantly. That said, I did find it was easier to come in under my designated calories each day, and that is a start in the right in the direction. 


Now, I am off to bed.