Regular sleep schedules can prevent heart attacks
We all know that we need 8 hours of sleep per night to be alert, to learn, and to be productive, but did you know that a REGULAR SLEEP-WAKE SCHEDULE can significantly prevent the chance of having a heart attack or heart disease?
That means that if you go to bed EVERY NIGHT and wake up EVERY MORNING at the same time (within a 90-minute window), you are actively improving your chance of preventing a heart attack. Your cardiovascular system relies on a strong circadian rhythm to maintain healthy functioning. When we fluctuate our sleep patterns – late nights on weekends and sleeping in on Saturdays and Sundays – we mess with our internal clocks, and this is linked to hypertension and diabetes.
With high school and college students staying up late to study a few nights per week and partying late at night on weekends, then going to bed early on Sunday nights before the school week starts, many students develop erratic sleep patterns. If this routine becomes a habit, our youth may be at a higher risk of heart issues.
So set a specific time to go to bed and to wake up each day that works best for your school, work, and family schedules. Then stick to it EVERY DAY. Create a bedtime routine so your body and mind start shutting down. I find tidying up the kitchen, brushing my teeth, taking a spa or bath, and then reading puts me to sleep in minutes. My morning routine starts with reading my emails at the same time every morning, which wakes me up and keeps me from falling back asleep.
Let’s organize our sleep-wake schedules, and then get our families on board next. It’s good for our kids’ mental and physical health, and it’s a gift that can save their lives!