Do you rely on sleep aids to help you sleep? You might be wondering if sleep aids are safe. I will readily admit that I depend on them on a weekly basis. Most of the time I feel sleep-deprived, some of that is brought on by me and some of that is due to my body going through changes.
Getting up early everyday and not getting adequate sleep at night can make for challenging days so I do look forward to Friday night when I can take a sleep aid and get a solid night of sleep. This also allows me to sleep in later since if I don’t take a sleep aid; my body seems to automatically wake up early.
The Mayo Clinic indicates that over-the-counter sleep aids can be helpful but they really only suggest the use of them on an infrequent basis. There are still no real solid facts on whether or not they safe. It has also been found that the more they are used, the less likely they will work for you.
Better than taking a sleep aid is figuring out why you are not getting enough sleep if this is a chronic problem. For me, I can blame my late-night television watching or having to read “just one more chapter” before finally closing my eyes. These are choices that I make on my own and can be easily dealt with.
I would bet that for most of us who use sleep aids, we could find better ways of getting a good night’s sleep. It may be cutting off the water supply earlier in the evening, getting more exercise, eating healthier or establishing a calming bedtime routine. For some people consulting a doctor could be the answer. There may be other reasons that you are struggling to get a good night’s sleep that you are unaware of.
Getting adequate sleep is about more than just feeling well and being able to function. Good sleep can actually boost your immune system and help your nervous system to work properly. So there are other health benefits to getting a good night’s sleep.
It is recommended that adults get 7 to 8 hours of sleep. If you are consistently finding it difficult to sleep well, it is probably time to look into the reasons rather than reaching first for that bottle of sleep aid. I know I will be rethinking my use of them.
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