Our checklists help you optimize your life for maximum health and happiness.
Sleep is more than a luxury. In fact, research suggests that sleep is necessary for optimal health and well-being. It does more for you than just help you to feel rested. Lack of sleep not only increases risk of health problems including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension – it can also lead to impaired judgment, risky decision making, and even decrease your attractiveness. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night to optimize health and longevity.
The key to getting good sleep is to routinely follow a relaxing bedtime ritual and create a bedroom environment that is conducive to sleep. Centenarians in the blue zones areas of the world sleep 7-8 hours every night and have daily routines to help them downshift. The purpose of this tool is to help you assess your bedroom environment to make sure that it is a sanctuary for sleep.
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National Sleep Foundation Bedroom Poll http://sleepfoundation.org/sites/default/files/bedroompoll/NSF_Bedroom_Poll_Report.pdf (Accessed 2/9/11).
Institute of Medicine Report. Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem. Released: March 21, 2006. http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2006/Sleep-Disorders-and-Sleep-Deprivation-An-Unmet-Public-Health-Problem.aspx (Accessed 2/9/11)
Lockley SW; Evans EE; Scheer FAJL et al. Short-wavelength sensitivity for the direct effects of light on alertness, vigilance, and the waking electroencephalogram in humans. SLEEP 2006;29(2): 161-168.
National Sleep Foundation 2011 Sleep in America Poll. http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/press-release/annual-sleep-america-poll-exploring-connections-communications-technology-use- (Accessed 6/2/11).
Goel N, Kim H and R Lao. (2005). An olfactory stimulus modifies nighttime sleep in young men and women. Chronobiology International; 22 (5): 889-904.
Ulrich R, Quan X, Zimring C, Joseph A, and R Choudhary. (2004). The Role of the Physical Environment in the Hospital of the 21st Century: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity. Report to The Center for Health Design for the Designing the 21st Century Hospital Project.
http://www.rwjf.org/files/publications/other/RoleofthePhysicalEnvironment.pdf (Accessed 6/3/11)