March 12 – 18 is Sleep Awareness Week

Spring ahead they say. Yet, do you feel like you’re dragging behind after losing an hour of sleep? The National Sleep Foundation uses this week to provide education on the connection between sleep and your health and well-being. They offer the following small steps for healthy sleep:

  1. Light: Spend time in bright light, natural light, or equivalent brightness during the day.
  2. Exercise: Work out regularly for a deeper sleep. Aim for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
  3. Mealtimes: Eat meals at consistent times each day.
  4. Avoid: Try not to have heavy meals, nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.
  5. Wind-down: Use a consistent, relaxing routine to help get the sleep you need each night. (Aim for 7 – 9 hours for most adults, with the same sleep and wake times every day.)
  6. Environment: Put your devices away an hour before bed and sleep in a quiet, cool, and dark environment.

Well Wisconsin is here to help support healthy sleep and offers a variety of resources to help you. Consider connecting with a health coach or participate in Daily Habits to work on small things you can do to improve your sleep habits. You can also listen in to the latest Well Wisconsin Radio podcast with Dr. Daniel Dickson as they discuss the importance of sleep.

Staying Healthy with Physical Activity

Get active this spring with the Invitational Steps Challenge (registration begins March 29). And register now for the Exercising Outdoors & Getting Fit as a Family webinar, coming on April 10.

Questions about Well Wisconsin? Contact WebMD at 1-800-821-6591.