Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Don't Let Holiday Stress Keep You Awake at Night

With Thanksgiving less than a day away, and just a month until Christmas, we're once again reminded how quickly "the most wonderful time of the year" can also become the most stressful.

Family. Finances. A tree in your house. Holiday stressors can feel immense when they all seem to hit at once, and in today's society, it's almost commonplace to simply "give in" to our anxieties keeping us awake at night.

According to a recent article in the New York Times,  Why Sleep Matters, nearly a quarter of Americans don't get enough shut-eye because they're too busy “concentrating on things."

 As commonplace as it may seem, however, losing sleep to stress is unhealthy and counterproductive.

"Lack of sleep can contribute to numerous health issues, including higher prevalence of chronic pain, high blood pressure, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and premature aging," says Carol Ash, D.O., Director of Sleep Medicine for Meridian Health.

In addition to restoring the immune system, sleep is vital to the energy and focus necessary to handling the life's most stressful situations head on. To break the stress-insomnia-stress cycle and get to sleep when your mind is in overdrive, Dr. Ash recommends a few different techniques.

"Find a cause. Studies show volunteering and pro bono work helps create external focus and connects us to others," Dr. Ash says. "These types of commitments help people find purpose and meaning in life, which can help eliminate racing thoughts at night."

"For a more immediate solution, try deep breaths," she adds. "Mindful breathing helps you relax and clear your mind prior to bedtime."

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Advice For The Sleep Deprived With Dr. Carol Ash - Power of An Hour Event


"Carol Ash, director of sleep medicine for Meridian Health and a national sleep expert, was the keynote speaker for the event. Ash said sleep deprivation is the cause of many chronic diseases, impairs the immune system, lowers metabolism and leads to stress. She told attendees that people need seven to nine hours of sleep each day to function. "It's important to get the information out to the community about why you need to be getting the sleep you need because we are really dealing with a crisis right now," Ash said. "Sleep is the backbone of your health."Read more from this informative event -- http://www.app.com/story/news/health/sleep/2015/11/07/event-offers-advice-sleep-deprived/75364846/

Power of An Hour Event with Dr. Carol Ash