Sleep! It's Non-Negotiable

A good night's sleep isn't just about hitting the ground running in the morning. If you get the 7 to 9 hours experts advise, you can expect these added benefits:

Fewer sniffles
People who get less than 7 hours per night are 3 times likelier to catch colds, according to a JAMA study. Reason: Sleep boosts immunity; too little impairs it.

Stay healthy by avoiding the top 10 sleep thieves.

A trimmer waistline
People who logged 7 to 9 hours a night had an average BMI of 24.8—almost 2 points lower than the average BMI of those who slept less, University of Washington researchers found. Too-little sleep may throw off hormones that regulate appetite.

Lower risk of heart disease and diabetes
Lack of sleep is associated with higher levels of stress hormones that may raise blood pressure and affect glucose metabolism. A new study found that the risk for high blood pressure among insomniacs who slept less than 5 hours per night was 500 times greater than those who logged more than 6 hours. And insomniacs who slept less than 5 hours were 3 times likelier to have diabetes, compared with those without insomnia who slept more than 6 hours.


4 WAYS TO SLEEP MORE DEEPLY
Want to hit the hay earlier?

1. Gradually advance your bedtime by 15 minutes a night.

2. Dim the lights in your home about an hour before bed, and start a routine that tells your body it's time to snooze (put on pajamas, brush teeth, wash face).

Try these 10 other tricks to help you catch your Zzz's.

3. Avoid The TV and computer.

4. Meditate or do light stretching. People who relax in the evening fall asleep about 30 minutes sooner than those who don't and get an extra hour of sleep.

More Links:
Top 10 Reasons You Can't Sleep
Get Better Sleep-Starting Tonight!
14 Worst Health Mistakes Even Smart Women Make
10 Secrets Of Happy Women