Is Sleep the New Sex? Getting a Good Night Sleep
By: Shannon Murphy
Updated: November 16, 2012
June Frantz is one of millions who struggle with getting a good night sleep...
"I knew I was having rough days in regards to being tired, lethargic even " said June Frantz of Wallenpaupack
Just a few months ago she was diagnosed with sleep apnea - a disorder that causes abnormally low breathing during sleep ..june was waking up 6-8 times a night...
I really through it off again just thinking it was my age."
Sleep is so important that - according to an unscientific poll we conducted with over 250 respondents of all ages - the majority of people married with children would actually choose sleep over being intimate with their partner...New mom Kara Mann couldn't agree more...
"I definitely a lot of times would prefer to go to sleep! Just because you're so exhausted!" said new mom, Kara Mann
According to doctors at the sleep clinic at Wayne Memorial Hospital - the average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep a night...
"For a long time we had no idea why sleep was important we just knew if there was a lack of sleep one we felt miserable but two there was also changes that were occurring in our body." Dr. Sean McVeigh, MD, FCCP, FACP Pulmonary medicine, Wayne Memorial Hospital
After studying sleep - Dr. Sean McVeigh learned long term sleep deprivation can increase your stress level and blood pressure...It can even lead to diabetes, obesity and lower your immune system...It could even decrease your libido...
"It can particularly for men there's sexual dysfunction particularly if you have sleep apnea but also you just don't feel like it." said Linda Voce, Polysomnographic Technologist at Wayne Memorial.
Sleep experts say to get the best sleep possible refrain from drinking caffeine or eating before bed, get into a regular night time routine, only engage in low functional activities an hour before lights out like reading or watching tv and only use your bed for what it was designed for...
"Its something we call good sleep hygiene which means you use the bedroom for sleep and sex so no tv no cell phones no work station where you are doing your work in the bedroom." added Voce
For those who are still not convinced that sleep is important - maybe the fact that it can help you loose weight will do the trick...Hormones that we produce while dreaming regulate the feelings of hunger and fullness...And who doesn't feel sexier when they're slim?
"If these hormones are not produced properly during the night then that can make us feel overly hungry if we have insomnia we find ourselves getting up and going to the refrigerator." Said Voce
Just ask June - now that she's sleeping - she feels like a million bucks and she says her husband is taking notice...
"It really energizes you you feel like your younger again! You really do."
If you are having trouble sleeping - talk to your doctor.
They may refer you to a sleep clinic - where doctors can study you while you sleep - and determine what is causing your insomnia.
"I knew I was having rough days in regards to being tired, lethargic even " said June Frantz of Wallenpaupack
Just a few months ago she was diagnosed with sleep apnea - a disorder that causes abnormally low breathing during sleep ..june was waking up 6-8 times a night...
I really through it off again just thinking it was my age."
Sleep is so important that - according to an unscientific poll we conducted with over 250 respondents of all ages - the majority of people married with children would actually choose sleep over being intimate with their partner...New mom Kara Mann couldn't agree more...
"I definitely a lot of times would prefer to go to sleep! Just because you're so exhausted!" said new mom, Kara Mann
According to doctors at the sleep clinic at Wayne Memorial Hospital - the average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep a night...
"For a long time we had no idea why sleep was important we just knew if there was a lack of sleep one we felt miserable but two there was also changes that were occurring in our body." Dr. Sean McVeigh, MD, FCCP, FACP Pulmonary medicine, Wayne Memorial Hospital
After studying sleep - Dr. Sean McVeigh learned long term sleep deprivation can increase your stress level and blood pressure...It can even lead to diabetes, obesity and lower your immune system...It could even decrease your libido...
"It can particularly for men there's sexual dysfunction particularly if you have sleep apnea but also you just don't feel like it." said Linda Voce, Polysomnographic Technologist at Wayne Memorial.
Sleep experts say to get the best sleep possible refrain from drinking caffeine or eating before bed, get into a regular night time routine, only engage in low functional activities an hour before lights out like reading or watching tv and only use your bed for what it was designed for...
"Its something we call good sleep hygiene which means you use the bedroom for sleep and sex so no tv no cell phones no work station where you are doing your work in the bedroom." added Voce
For those who are still not convinced that sleep is important - maybe the fact that it can help you loose weight will do the trick...Hormones that we produce while dreaming regulate the feelings of hunger and fullness...And who doesn't feel sexier when they're slim?
"If these hormones are not produced properly during the night then that can make us feel overly hungry if we have insomnia we find ourselves getting up and going to the refrigerator." Said Voce
Just ask June - now that she's sleeping - she feels like a million bucks and she says her husband is taking notice...
"It really energizes you you feel like your younger again! You really do."
If you are having trouble sleeping - talk to your doctor.
They may refer you to a sleep clinic - where doctors can study you while you sleep - and determine what is causing your insomnia.
