From A to ZZZZZ: Dr. Ash Visits TODAY to Launch Sleep Awareness Week

In honor of the National Sleep Foundation's annual Sleep Awareness Week, a seven-day celebration of sleep health kicking off for 2016 on March 6, Carol Ash, D.O., Director of Sleep Medicine for Meridian Health, dropped by TODAY to help answer the question, "What's keeping you awake?"

According to Dr. Ash, upwards of 60 to 80 percent of Americans aren't getting the essential seven hours of sleep per night - the minimum needed to avoid long-term health consequences.

So what is keeping us awake at night? According to Dr. Ash, the answer could be right outside your window.

"There was a study recently done at Stamford, which looked at 16,000 people over eight years," says Dr. Ash. "They found that those living in communities of 500,000 people or more found it much more difficult to get the sleep they need."

So... what's the solution? Watch Dr. Ash's TODAY segment below to find out.

Top Truths from Our Most Trusted Sleep Celebrity

When pearls of lifestyle advice are dropped by pop culture's most elite, whether that be Gwyneth Paltrow or Beyonce, people take notice. (Did you know Emmy Rossum is "a huge napper?" Think about it.)

We thought we'd follow up this Huffington Post collection of nine celebrity sleep quotes with a few of our own, courtesy of Meridian Health Director of Sleep Medicine, Carol Ash, D.O.

• "Stay hydrated. And Al,  I know you ride your bike to work, be careful going home. Don't run anybody over."
  - to Al Roker, before his record setting "Roker-thon" 
  attempt for the longest uninterrupted weather forecast
  
  


• "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."



• "The number-one mistake people who can't sleep make is turning to over-the-counter medications. These pills don't target the problem - and can even make it worse." 


•  "Whatever you do, don't ignore the snore."


•  "Can't sleep? Find a cause. Studies show volunteering and pro bono work helps create external focus and connects us to others. These types of commitments help people find purpose and meaning in life, which can help eliminate racing thoughts at night."


•  "Sleeping Beauty had it right. Get enough sleep, and you'll be amazed by the effects it'll have on your appearance."


•  "Take a deep breath. Mindful breathing helps you relax and clear your mind prior to bedtime." 

Adjusting Your Internal Clock for Daylight Savings Time

As you prepare to "spring ahead" for daylight savings, it's important to adjust your internal clock accordingly.

Watch Dr. Carol Ash on the TODAY show discussing the impact of springing forward on everyday health:

Al Roker sets new Guinness World Record (With a Little Help From Dr. Carol Ash)

Friday, TODAY weatherman Al Roker set a new Guinness World Record by reporting on the weather for 34 consecutive hours. Dubbed "#Rokerthon," the feat kicked off at 10:05 p.m. Wednesday and concluded around 8 a.m. Friday morning with a TODAY studio celebration complete with confetti and balloons.

In preparation for the 34-hour weather weather-cast,  TODAY featured Meridian's own Director of Sleep Medicine Dr. Carol Ash, who offered up a few health tips for Roker on how to stay the course.

Dr. Ash helps answers the question, "Why am I so tired?"

It's a question we've all asked ourselves: "Why am I so tired?"

On a visit to TODAY earlier this year, Dr. Carol Ash and Julie Bain, Health Director for Ladies Home Journal, offered tips to help provide answers to that question.

Both Ash and Bain agreed that mental fatigue and stress can be one of the biggest causes of daytime sleepiness.

"Stress is a good thing; it helps us overcome challenges," Ash said. "But sustained stress can lead to anxiety and depression."

These types of stress can keep you awake at night - and exhausted during the day.

Ash advises, when stress and anxiety are keeping you up, write it down, and then confide with someone you trust during the day.

Watch the full TODAY segment below.