Are you getting enough quality sleep? Many experts recommend 7 to 9 hours daily, and even more for growing kids. And yet, more than 60 million people in the United States experience sleep-related complaints.

"People who sleep well, in general, are happier and healthier," said National Sleep Foundation CEO Richard Gelula in a 2005 interview. "But when sleep is poor or inadequate, people feel tired or fatigued, their social and intimate relationships suffer, work productivity is negatively affected, and they make our roads more dangerous by driving while sleepy and less alert."

Poor sleep can also have serious long-term health consequences. An important recent U.S. Government study has established a link between inadequate sleep and the development of chronic diseases and conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression.

How can you help yourself to better sleep quality? Experts recommend the following:

1. Avoid large meals, caffeine, or alcohol within 2 hours of bedtime.


2. Get regular exercise to reduce stress hormones, but not within 3 hours of bedtime.


3. Sleep at a regular time every night and try to avoid late-afternoon naps.


4. Stop working at any task at least 1 hour before retiring to calm mental activity.


5. Minimize light and noise in the bedroom to facilitate the body's natural release of the sleep hormone melatonin.


6. Drink 4 ounces (120 ml) of GoChi every day!

Labels: Sleep