| As the days of summer approach, everyone starts to consider how his or her body will look in a swimsuit. Summer vacations often include beach, pool, or water activities and that means less clothing and more skin. To look your best this summer, start thinking from the inside out. Feeling healthy is much more important than attaining a svelte swimsuit body. One of the most important aspects of your physical health is your sleep patterns. Without enough sleep, your body cannot function optimally. Most adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep a night. A great step to achieving a healthy body is making sleep a priority. If you have trouble sleeping on a regular basis, discuss this with your doctor. Many adults suffer from a condition called sleep apnea; this condition causes labored breathing during sleep, which interrupts the sleep cycle. Your doctor may recommend a series of sleep tests, which will help determine if you have sleep apnea. Patients with sleep apnea use a continuous positive airway pressure machine or CPAP machine to help them attain a continuous sleep pattern. CPAP machines are small and lightweight, and usually fit on a bedside table. The machine comes with a few CPAP supplies such as batteries and a nasal mask.
Another aspect to monitor when considering your sleep patterns is your caffeine intake. Caffeine is a stimulant that is found in coffee, tea, soda and other liquids. Try to limit your caffeine intake to the morning hours; if you are drinking evening coffee or tea with dessert, then you are putting a stimulant in your system when you’re trying to settle down. Even decaffeinated tea, coffee and soda’s contain a small amount of caffeine. Definitely avoid espresso drinks with dessert. If you must have a caffeine burst in the afternoon to avoid that after lunch drowsy feeling, have your caffeinated drink before four p.m. Drinking caffeine after four p.m. may cause you to have difficulty falling asleep.
Another pitfall to avoid is eating large meals or snacks before bedtime. Nothing seems as comforting as falling asleep after a big meal, but that is actually the worst time to sleep. After a large meal, your digestive system is working hard to process your food intake. If you are sleeping during this digestive process, your body is trying to rest and digest at the same time. Try to avoid eating large meals late at night, or at least don’t make it a habit.
Once a year physicals help keep you in tune with your body. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a complete physical, consider scheduling one with your doctor. Physicals are an important part in maintaining optimal health and are usually covered through health insurance carriers.
Summer is nearly here, as you plan your next exciting vacation or weekend retreat; make sure you feel your best. Start taking care of your body from the inside out, consider your sleep patterns and eating habits. Making simple dietary and sleep changes can highly impact your overall health. Remember to avoid caffeine and large meals in the evenings. If you aren’t getting the sleep you need, consult your physician, to discuss options. You may suffer from sleep apnea and simply have no idea. A simple sleep test will help discover where your sleep pattern is being interrupted. If your doctor recommends a CPAP machine, make sure you understand how it works and what CPAP supplies are needed. You’ll be amazed at how great you feel after a night of uninterrupted sleep. With a good night’s rest, you’ll be ready to hit the beach feeling great! |
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