| Eat Right, Work Out,
Sleep Better
by: ARA Content
The Three Components of a Healthy Lifestyle
(ARA) - In today's fast-paced world, moving at full speed
isn't an option, it's a way of life. Finding the energy to
keep up has led many Americans to improve their diets and
increase their activity and exercise. Yet many people are
missing the third vital component to a healthy lifestyle --
a good night's sleep.
"Committing to improving overall health requires ambition,
focus and knowledge," says women's health researcher
Joan Shaver, Ph.D., RN, professor and dean of the College
of Nursing at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "We
should think of a healthy lifestyle as a triangle, with the
three points of proper nutrition, exercise and sleep. If we
fail to fulfill any one of these points, we are missing the
potential for optimum health."
Good nutrition and exercise
The requirements of eating a balanced diet will vary from
individual to individual, but it is vital that all major food
groups are included. Many of today's diets may help improve
weight loss, but often leave the body begging for vitamins
and other essential nutrients. Eating a diet full of fruits,
vegetables, breads, and fibers will help to give the body
more energy for exercise and taking on the events of a busy
day.
"Getting in shape" means exercising at least three
days a week for 30 minutes or more -- not necessarily all
at once. Exercise doesn't have to be boring or rigorous --
it can be as simple and fun as a morning walk or an evening
bike ride. In fact, yard work is considered a great workout
and long summer days allow for plenty of time outside. Since
exercise will raise the body's temperature and heart rate,
be sure to complete exercise at least three hours before bedtime
to allow the mind and body to wind down.
Better sleep
According to Dr. Shaver, several lifestyle factors must be
considered to benefit from a better night's sleep. First,
evaluate the sleep environment -- ensure that your room is
cool, dim and quiet. Reserve the bedroom for sleep -- avoid
bringing work to bed or watching television in the bedroom.
Next, allow enough time for sleep -- on average, the National
Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends eight hours for adults.
But, in the 2002 NSF "Sleep in America" poll, 39
percent of respondents said they were sleeping less than seven
hours at night on weekdays. And most only slept 7.5 hours
on the weekends.
Finally, ensure that each sleep partner is comfortable by
finding a mattress that meets individual needs. According
to the NSF, 91 percent of people say their sleep surface is
important in helping them get a deep, restful night's sleep.
And 89 percent of those surveyed in 2002 agree that a better
quality mattress provides a better night's sleep.
One alternative to traditional innerspring mattresses is
The Sleep Number Bed by Select Comfort. It allows individuals
to adjust the bed to their ideal level of personal comfort
-- their Sleep Number. A Sleep Number is a number between
zero and 100 that represents each individual's ideal setting
for mattress firmness, comfort and support. With dual-adjustable
air chambers, sleep partners can independently adjust the
firmness on their side of the Sleep Number bed without disrupting
their partner's desired comfort level.
Kevin Garnett, professional basketball player for the Minnesota
Timberwolves, has recognized the importance of sleep on his
overall performance as a professional athlete and has taken
personal sleep comfort to a new level. In 2001, the 6-foot,
11-inch forward ordered a custom-made 9-foot by 9-foot, dual-adjustable
Sleep Number bed from Select Comfort.
"The Sleep Number bed has helped me sleep through the
night when my muscles ache after a hard workout," says
Garnett. "With a regular mattress you have to adjust
your body to the bed. The Sleep Number bed allows you to adjust
the bed to your body."
In studies conducted at Stanford University and Duke University,
participants fell asleep faster and experienced better quality,
more restorative sleep on the Sleep Number bed than on a traditional
innerspring mattress. Stanford University researchers also
found that 87 percent of those who slept on the Sleep Number
bed experienced a greater percentage of REM sleep with fewer
disturbances. The Sleep Number bed also provides more proper
spinal alignment and 93 percent of participants reported back
pain relief.
For more information about these or other sleep facts, visit
www.selectcomfort.com. To find out more about the Sleep Number
bed, call (800) 535-BEDS.
About The Author
Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com;
e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com
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