ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP?

NEW CITY, NY - - Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announce that March 5th - 12th is Sleep Awareness Week. We will lose an hour of sleep this month when we set our clocks ahead one hour for Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, March 12th - but are you losing sleep on other nights as well? Daylight saving time is a great time to reset your sleep habits, as well as your clock. Getting enough continuous quality sleep helps us feel and perform well the next day. It has a large impact on the overall quality of our lives.

Per the National Sleep Foundation, most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, however some people are alert with less sleep, while others need more. Pay attention to how you feel - see if you are productive, healthy and happy on seven hours of sleep, or if you need more sleep to be at your best.

Try these tips:

• Make sleep a priority (schedule sleep like you do other daily activities)
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine so you can "unwind"
• Keep to a regular bedtime and wake-time, even on the weekends
• Keep your sleep environment dark, quiet, comfortable, and cool
• Keep "sleep stealers" out of the bedroom (avoid watching TV, using a computer or reading in bed)
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol products close to bedtime
• Finish eating at least two - three hours before your regular bedtime
• Exercise regularly
• Quit smoking - call Put It Out Rockland at (845) 364-2651 for help with quitting and low-cost nicotine patches that can double your chances of being successful, or call the New York State Smokers' Quitline at 1-866- NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487)

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that if you or a family member are experiencing symptoms such as sleepiness during the day, snoring, leg cramps or tingling, gasping or difficulty breathing during sleep, prolonged insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep), or another symptom that is preventing you from sleeping well, consult your doctor or find a sleep professional to find the underlying cause.

"Not getting enough sleep can affect your health and safety, and the safety of those around you. For example, it's linked with an increased risk of drowsy driving, diabetes, heart problems, obesity, depression, and substance abuse. It also decreases your ability to pay attention, react to signals, or remember new information," said Dr. Ruppert.

For more information visit the National Sleep Foundation website at www.sleepfoundation.org/.