Sleep seems to be the one thing we all feel we can sacrifice to reach our goals. In fact, it's common to hear co-workers brag about how little sleep they need to function. We actually feel guilty for sleeping, as if it's a sign of weakness. The problem with this outlook is that quality sleep is just as important to our health as are physical activity and good nutrition. Unfortunately, an estimated 68 million Americans are at least moderately sleep-deprived.
Most health professionals recommend approximately eight hours of sleep each night.
Before Thomas Edison invented the light bulb in 1879, people slept about 10 hours a night. Our corporate culture has changed all that. During the past 20 years, we've added roughly 158 hours annually to our work and commute times. What we've lost is our sleep time. Sleep apnea is tied to hypertension Researchers from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute found middle age and older persons with sleep apnea to have a 45 percent higher risk for hypertension than those who do not have the condition.