(ARA) - The days are short, the temperatures cold and it's hard to get out of bed in the morning. But are you getting the kind of sleep you need?
The Better Sleep Council has explored exactly who is getting more sleep regionally this winter. According to the snooze-savvy crowd surveyed, the following perceptions were identified:
The City That Never Sleeps versus Sleepless in Seattle
In a nationwide comparison of Seattle residents to New York City residents, 90 percent of those surveyed believe Seattleites are far more likely to get a good night’s sleep this winter, putting to rest a long standing characterization of being "Sleepless in Seattle."
Capital Hill versus Beverly Hills
When comparing Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles, Americans felt that Hollywood celebrities and aspiring stars are more likely to sacrifice sleep for late nights with lattes. Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed cited Washingtonians as more rested. In contrast, those who could be considered the more politically minded of the survey crowd, women ages 55 and older, at 47 percent felt Washington bureaucrats would be up long after the West Coast putting the federal budget to bed.
No matter where you live, taking control of your sleep environment is important. The Better Sleep Council has developed a few sleep tips to help add more hours of rest to your schedule all year round.
Five
Tips to Control Your Sleep Environment
1. Determine your sleep requirement. Determining the amount of sleep you need each night to be fully alert the next day is a big step towards sleep environment control. You should try to get at least your minimum sleep requirement each night, if not more. Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night.
2. Reduce noise. Keeping your bedroom noise level at a minimum creates an ideal, relaxed sleep environment. Consider removing your television and/or radio from the bedroom.
3. Create a comfortable bed. Evaluating your mattress is important -- is it giving you the support and comfort you need to get a good night’s sleep?
4. Engage in pre-bedtime relaxation. Engaging in a relaxing, non-alerting activity at bedtime such as reading or listening to music will help you sleep better. Avoid activities that are mentally and physically stimulating that might keep you awake.
5. Develop a sleep ritual. Keeping the same routine each night just before bed signals your body to settle down for the night. Set a regular schedule that takes you from dusk to dawn.
For more information, visit www.bettersleep.org.
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