Oct 30 2009
Wellness Challenge Fall 2009 Team Point Update Week 1
Congratulations to all teams for doing a great job! Teams are listed according to the number of points. Teams that have not turned in points are not listed.
Oct 30 2009
Keeping your ZZZZs at the Top of Your List
Are you are getting enough “Z’s”? Did you know that you need seven to nine hours of sleep a night? Yes, you really should spend one-third of each day in bed.
So much sleeping - which equates to one-third of your entire life - may sound strange, but it is a central part of being a healthy person. The advantages of spending so much time sleeping are more than just some sweet dreams. Rewards of enough sleep include a better ability to concentrate, more energy and just being in a better mood.
The nightmares of not enough sleep will show up everywhere - from your appearance to your personality. Too little sleep also affects work performance, can lead to weight gain and can actually put you at risk (think about how dangerous it is to drive or operate machinery while feeling sleepy).
The 2002 National Sleep Foundation poll, Sleep in America, found that 74 percent of American adults experience a sleeping problem a few nights a week; 39 percent get less than seven hours of sleep each night; and 37 percent are so sleepy during the day that it interferes with daily activities.
These are alarming numbers, but they can be reversed. Here are some tips for getting more rest:
- Stay consistent with bedtime and wake-up times throughout the week.
- As much as possible, use the bedroom only for sleep (no television, computer use or reading).
- Exercise regularly.
- Keep your bedroom dark, quiet and cool.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol within four hours of bedtime.
For more information on the health effects of sleep, try these links:
