Author: Claudia Sanchez-Bustamante, MHS Communications
Ideally, doctors say, adults should get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night. But, according to one national survey, about one in three American adults say they sleep far less than that most nights. For some people, the daily grind of work and family responsibilities simply doesn't leave enough time in the day for a full night's sleep. But for many others, the lack of sleep stems from a lifestyle or medical problem that might require healthier daily habits or long-term treatment from a health care provider.
Long-term sleeping problems can affect your mental health, relationships, quality of life, and performance at work. “If you're experiencing persistent problems with poor sleep, or if sleep difficulties are affecting your quality of life, you should seek professional assistance,” said U.S. Public Health Service Capt. (Dr.) Anne Dobmeyer, a sleep expert who is currently the DHA's section chief for Primary Care Behavioral Health Science, Development, and Education.
Sleeping problems are often cited among the top reasons why service members go to a local military hospital or clinic, according to data published by the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch.
Sleeping is Healthy
Getting enough sleep is not a luxury. “It is something people need for good health,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet a third of American adults report usually getting less than the recommended amount of sleep, says the CDC. The ideal amount varies for individuals, but it usually ranges between seven to eight hours a night for adults.
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