SLEEP!!!

Today is day five in a row for me getting up at 4am to fill in for the Gasman on the 94.3 MAX-FM morning show. Although I have filled in before, this is the first full week. I had a little trouble getting up today after five days in a row with little to no sleep, but I always thought I would be unable to function. After being up for about an hour I feel like a million bucks, so I got to thinking how much do we really need sleep?

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF)  recommends adults get 7-9 hours of sleep per night, I think most of us know this. Now though, what happens if we don't get this much sleep? NSF says lack of sleep, or sleep debt, can cause such things as 

• Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents
• Increase in body mass index – a greater likelihood of obesity due to an increased appetite caused by sleep deprivation
• Increased risk of diabetes and heart problems
• Increased risk for psychiatric conditions including depression and substance abuse
• Decreased ability to pay attention, react to signals or remember new information

Whats all this mean? To me, and many experts, this says make sleep a priority! If have to be up at 4am like I do, go to bed at 8. If you cant go to bed until 2am, sleep in until 10. Sleep is important! Take it seriously. Now I'm out of here to take a nap!