Sleep is a basic necessity of life. It is as important to our well being a food, air, and water. Researchers have found that short sleep duration is linked to an increased risk for motor accidents, diabetes, heart problems, and psychiatric illnesses.  It's also linked to weight gain, reduced attention span, memory, and reaction time.The lack of sleep weakens our body's immune system and it is a marker for poor mental health. Why is sleep important? Because it serves as a restorative function for our bodies. While we sleep our hormone levels fluctuate, our blood pressure decreases, and changes occur in some of our major organ functions.Our brain uses sleep to consolidate its memories and for our nervous system to rest and repair itself. What's the right amount of sleep?

Well that changes during our life span and it is also affected by our sleep habits. The average adult with a healthy sleeping pattern needs about seven to nine hours per night.Here's some tips for getting a good night's rest. Establish consistent sleep and wake cycles and keep these even on the weekends. Create a relaxing bedtime routine and a sleep conducive environment something that is dark, comfortable, quite, and cool.Avoid TV, computers, or reading. Finish eating two to three hours prior to sleeping. Avoid caffeine and alcohol and stop smoking.

Lesley Dzintars