We know how good it feels to get a solid night's rest, but as recent research suggests, a healthy dose of sleep is a delicate balance.
If you are thinking of preparing yourself for a long shift or a demanding day at work, getting more sleep may not be the best answer.
It seems there really is a golden number when it comes how much sleep adults should aim for each night. The goal of seven to eight hours is said to help you operate at your optimum the next day, but anything over this amount can add to daytime fatigue.
Sleep is a time for the body to recuperate. Typically, blood pressure drops and the daily strain on the heart eases with a reduction in heart rate. It is your body's natural process to recover and recharge for the day ahead.
However, for most people, burning the candle at both ends followed by sleeping for nine or more hours of catch-up sleep can plunge bodies into fatigue, affecting alertness, reaction time and mood, all of which affect concentration and work performance. This is particularly dangerous if your work involves driving or operating machinery.
The human body works at peak efficiency when a regular routine is in place. Try to wake up around the same time each morning and go to sleep at the same time each night. Aim for a steady range of seven to eight hours of sleep per night.
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