We might feel it especially when Daylight Savings throws our schedule off for a while. So what can we do to stretch those hours spent sleeping?
A first step can be to identify patterns in your sleep quality, quantity, and the things you do during the day that could affect sleep, such as naps or caffeine consumption in the afternoon. Sleep experts and doctors often ask patients to keep a sleep diary to capture this data.
To help you identify possible sleep barriers, consider this small step.
Small Step: Set Up a Sleep Diary
Print out a sleep diary and put it next to your bed. This diary can help you track your sleep and activity, and may help you find patterns and adjustments to try on your own. If you then choose to consult with a doctor or sleep expert, this diary may be a useful tool.
Get DiaryThis sleep diary is provided by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, one of the National Institutes of Health.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0215-enough-sleep.html
http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/need-sleep/whats-in-it-for-you/mood
https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/sleep-and-mental-health