1. Sleep Awareness

2. Why is Sleep So Important?
Sleep plays an essential role in keeping us healthy, mentally and physically. Not only does our health depend on sleep, it can also affect our brain and how we learn.
Fun Fact: Humans can mostly survive without
sleeping for up to 11 days (or 264 hours).

3. Fun Fact: Kids and teenagers aren’t lazy!
How Much Sleep Do I Need?
According to studies by the Sleep Foundation, there actually is no magic number on how much sleep we should get each night. However, it is still recommended that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep each night
Fun Fact: Kids and teenagers aren’t lazy!
Studies have shown that non-adults need 8 to 12 hours of sleep to be functional.

4. How To Tell If You Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep
Increased irritability
Loss of concentration
Short attention span
Increased mistakes
Weakened immune system
Ongoing sleep deprivation can lead to depression, weight gain and even type II diabetes.

5. Tips For Better Sleep
Make sleep a priority and go to bed at a reasonable time.
Deal with work and worries several hours before bed so you have time to wind down.
Develop a “sleep routine” before bed each night. This helps your body know it’s time for bed.
Try to keep regular sleep hours every day of the week.

6. Tips For Better Sleep (continued)
Create a peaceful, dark and noise free place to rest.
Don’t forget to exercise to help relieve stress and tension (however, not too close to bedtime).
Avoid stimulants such as caffeine before bed.
Don’t smoke (preferably at all) or drink before bed.

7. Nap Like A Pro
Naps aren’t just for children. Naps can help you catch up on sleep and re-energize you more than caffeine. Ideal Nap Time: minutes
Tip: If you need an extra boost with your nap, drink some coffee before your nap. When you wake up, the caffeine will have made it to your bloodstream and you will have gotten the benefit from the nap too.

8. Interesting Sleep Facts
Up until the 1800’s, many people practiced “segmented sleep”. One would sleep for a few hours; wake up and do something for an hour; then go back to sleep for the rest of the night. Scientists think that this is why so many people wake up in the middle of the night.

9. Sources
unco.edu sleepfoundation.org