You Probably Need More Sleep

Judging from the number of commercials about sleep disorders, it could be inferred that this is a very common problem. Actually, this inference would be correct. Most people, at one time or another experience difficulty falling asleep (onset insomnia), staying asleep, or with early awakening. These people know they suffer from a sleep problem, one or more of the forms of insomnia. They know they are not getting enough sleep, but even if you are getting the seven to eight hours that every commercial for sleep aids tells you is a good night's sleep, you probably need more. Research on sleep has consistently shown that people work better, feel better, and get more done if they average about nine hours of sleep instead of eight, and many people, perhaps most, get less than eight hours, even if they don't think they have sleep problems.

There is certainly no lack of companies that offer to sell solutions, mostly pills, for our epidemic of sleep disorders. In addition to drugs, we are offered types of sounds, smells and bedding, each of which, we are told, will allow us to gain an adequate amount of restful sleep. Let's look at some of the more common of these "cures" for our sleep ailments. This is not medical advice and I will not mention specific drugs but refer to classes and types, with one exception, an over the counter sleep aid. I have no financial interest in this, or any drug or program. This is solely for informational purposes.