Creating a Perfect Balance of Sleep and Physical Activity

Sleep problems cause all kinds of trouble for a person. Sleep is a need that must be met. How do you determine how many hours a night you need to function properly? This depends on many factors such as your health, what you eat, physical activity throughout the day, and a variety of other issues.

One way to identify a sleep problem is to determine if you have any of the following issues such as tossing and turning throughout the night, sleepy during the afternoon and yawning throughout the morning. These key factors will establish if you have a sleep disorder or something that can be changed by doing things different.

First, if you toss and turn throughout the night try to relax and close your eyes. Start thinking about something that makes you happy and really concentrate on that thought. This will help you relax and improve upon the sleep problem of tossing and turning. If you still can't relax examine your bed to see if you might need a softer bed cover or a pillow that supports your neck. Having an uncomfortable bed will interfere with your sleep.

Second, if you're sleepy in the afternoon try to take a walk or ride a bike. Actually, just focus on some sort of physical activity because you will get more energy and feel better. Don't eat a big dinner if your sleepy evening after evening. Also, limit your caffeine and sugar intake because this creates an energy burst then you crash after awhile.

Third, if you yawn during the morning this could be related to not getting a good night sleep or you're drinking too much caffeine and then crashing by noon.

Try the following to determine how much sleep your body needs.

Create a log book for two weeks.

Go to bed at your normal time.

The next day go to bed an hour earlier than normal.

The next day go to bed an hour and half earlier than normal.

The next day go to bed two hours earlier than normal.

The next day go to bed an hour later than normal.

The next day get up an hour early.

The next day get up an hour and half earlier than normal.