7 Dangerous Sleep Habits That Can Harm Your Health

Sleep is more than a way to recover from a busy day. It is an important part of heart health, blood pressure, metabolism, and overall wellness. Adults should sleep 7 hours daily, according to the CDC. 

At Big Laps, we look into how bad sleep habits can sabotage those benefits as part of having a better sleep routine. 

1. Regularly Sleeping Less Than Seven Hours

A shortage of sleep can have serious health implications if it becomes routine. Sleep is not just about being exhausted or fatigued in the morning. It can be associated with more serious health issues and is an important component of long-term health. Not getting enough sleep is also linked to obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.

2. Keeping an Irregular Sleep Schedule

When you sleep at widely varying hours from day to day, it can disrupt your circadian rhythm and make it harder to maintain a regular routine. Good sleep hygiene includes going to bed and waking up at regular times, even on weekends, according to the CDC.

3. Exposing Yourself to Bright Light

Bright screens and other artificial light sources near bedtime can make it harder to fall a sleep easily. The CDC advises avoiding artificial light, especially within a few hours of bedtime, and recommends using a blue-light filter on a computer or smartphone. 

4. Ignoring Persistent Insomnia 

If you regularly have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early, don’t ignore the problem. Rather than accepting these problems as a normal part of life, talk to a health care professional if they continue. 

5. Ignoring Possible Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops or becomes blocked during sleep, which can reduce the body’s oxygen supply. it can also cause various health issues, according to the CDC.

6. Eating or Drinking Near Bedtime

The CDC says that people should avoid large meals and alcohol before bedtime. Its heart-health guidance also advises avoiding food and drinks within a few hours of bedtime, especially fat or sugar-rich foods.

7. Using the Bed for Work 

Using your bed for work can make it harder to associate it with sleep. Keeping work and other activities outside the bed can help reinforce the bed as a place for rest. 

Building Better Sleep Habits

Getting better rest doesn’t have to be difficult. The CDC recommends having a regular schedule, getting natural light earlier in the day, being physically active, and keeping the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. 

Like we said, bad sleep isn’t just about being fatigued or wiped-out in the morning. Insufficient sleep is associated with more serious health issues and is an important component of long-term health.