| Good sleep essential for a healthy life, expert says
BY ADRIENNE FRANK That glass of warm milk on the bedside table may be doing more harm than good. That’s the word from Pat Britz, program director with the National Sleep Foundation, who addressed a group of about two dozen faculty and staff during a brown bag seminar sponsored by the Faculty Staff Assistance Program last Thursday. According to Britz, eating or drinking too close to bedtime can actually hinder a good night’s sleep, as can exercising too late in the evening. Britz also recommends people avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine during the day, and even warned against reading or watching TV in bed.
Photo by Jeff Watts
Pat Britz of the National Sleep Foundation addresses faculty and staff.
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“The bed should be just for sleeping and sex,” she said with a laugh. The brain and the body, Britz added, must be conditioned to associate the bed strictly with sleep—not the 11 p.m. news, the latest John Grisham novel, then sleep. Britz said such bad bedtime habits might be why 39 percent of Americans don’t get the seven to nine hours of sleep recommended for optimal health. “Sleep is just as important as good nutrition and exercise,” she said. “It’s integral to a healthy life.” People who don’t get enough sleep often experience mood swings and memory lapses; according to Britz, 37 percent of Americans also report experiencing daytime sleepiness that interferes with work or other activities. She also said driving while drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving drunk. “People who drive after being awake for 18 hours have the same level of impairment as if they were intoxicated,” said Britz, who added that 51 percent of adults report driving drowsy and 17 percent actually dozed off behind the wheel. During the hour-long lecture, Britz discussed sleep disorders like snoring, which impacts mostly men, and insomnia, which affects mainly women. About 90 million people snore. Men who are overweight are most likely to do so, said Britz, who added that loud snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea and can be associated with high blood pressure. Insomnia, which is marked by difficulty falling asleep, frequent interruptions during the night, and unrefreshed sleep, impacts 40 percent of American adults, including a large number of women. “Guess why,” said Britz, with a laugh. “Because they’re up taking care of the kids!” She added that over-the-counter and prescription medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relaxation training can treat insomnia. A vacation, noted some of the mothers in the audience, will also do the trick.
| The Faculty Staff Assistance Program’s next brown bag lecture, “Getting Organized for Spring,” is March 17, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Butler Conference Room. |
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