Junk sleep may be a regular part of your nightly bedtime routine, but it doesn’t have to be. The following explains what junk sleep is and how to prevent it.
Delving Into Junk Sleep
Junk sleep, sleep that is neither long enough nor good enough quality to restore the brain to the level needed to perform well the next day, is a common problem for many. What’s more, according to the Sleep America poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), Americans sleep just 6.9 hours per night on average during the week and just 7.5 hours per night on weekends.
Junk sleep, sleep that is neither long enough nor good enough quality to restore the brain to the level needed to perform well the next day, is a common problem for many.
The symptoms of junk sleep can be varied. But among the most common are:
- Excessive sleepiness and fatigue;
- Poor concentration;
- Low energy;
- Mood disturbance (depression, anxiety, crankiness);
- Irritability;
- Brain fog;
- Forgetfulness and memory decline;
- Body pain and chronic pain;
- Declining health;
- Cardiovascular issues;
- Dull appearance;
- Digestion/GI issues;
- Attention issues.
What Can Be Done To Combat Junk Sleep?
A way to combat junk sleep is by ditching the devices before bedtime, practicing meditation, looking into purchasing a new mattress if it is worn, reading a good book, creating a bedtime routine that includes winding down before bedtime, de-cluttering your bedroom, writing down a quick to-do list and keeping your bedroom cool, to name a few.
Knowledge is Key
Now you know several of the causes of junk sleep and how to prevent it. Do you have ways to prevent junk sleep? Share them in the comment section below.
Sources:
– https://www.sleep.com/sleep-health/what-is-junk-sleep-tips-to-fix
– https://www.saatva.com/blog/junk-sleep
– https://mediafeed.org/junk-sleep-what-it-is-how-to-avoid-it
– https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/sleep/junk-sleep
– https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/bedtime-routine-for-adults
– https://www.thensf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/NSF-2022-Sleep-in-America-Poll-Report.pdf
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