Did You Get Enough Sleep Last Night?

The American Heart Association offers a checklist of eight key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health. The Life’s Essential 8 is designed to highlight things we can do to lower our risk for heart disease, stroke and other major health problems.

In 2022, the Association added sleep duration to the list as a component of heart health. They say the amount and quality of sleep can influence a person’s eating habits, mood, memory, internal organs and more.

One advantage to getting enough sleep is being more productive. After spending years working long hours to the detriment of a good night's sleep, Ariana Huffington now says, “The irony is that a lot of people forgo sleep in the name of productivity. But in fact our productivity is reduced substantially when we’re sleep deprived.”

Professor of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Charles Czeisler, explains being sleep deprived can impair your abilities and is similar to being drunk. Poor sleep habits can cause you to eat more in an effort to feel more energetic, and may increase your risk for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

It is recommended adults get a solid 7 to 9 hours of sleep each day and a sleep routine will help you achieve this goal. Start by going to bed each night around the same time so you can wake up refreshed at the same time each morning. If possible, open your curtains to let in the morning sunshine or turn on the bedroom lights. Research still shows breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should consist of healthy foods.

Another thing to get your day off right is to take a few minutes each morning doing something like practicing mindfulness or yoga. The other Life’s Essential 8 include maintaining a healthy diet, fitness, quitting nicotine, losing weight, and watching your cholesterol, blood pressure and risk for diabetes.

If you are looking for senior housing, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Pasadena. We offer residents comfort, security, built-in companionship, and predictable budgeting. Our beautiful retirement homes offer independent living, assisted living and memory care with a broad range of amenities and services to meet every need. Please see our website for more information about trusted senior living in Pasadena, CA.

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Pasadena, CA has to offer.

Source:
heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/sleep/how-to-sleep-better-with-tech-tweaks

Comments

Balance Problems Are Common in Older Adults

The statistics of older adults taking a fall each year are alarming, and consequences can impact the person’s independence, or in the worst case, be deadly. Experts say as we age, our bodies may start to feel less stable due to things like a loss of muscle mass, lack of flexibility and slower reflexes. Poor balance and dizziness can also be a result of medical problems including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, poor vision, thyroid, nerves, or blood vessels as well as medications. Another culprit interfering with balance is inner ear problems. The labyrinth is a part of the inner ear that controls balance and when it becomes inflamed or infected, it can cause lots of problems including vertigo. The condition called Labyrinthitis generally is a result of other issues such as head injuries, viral or bacterial infections, and circulatory system conditions like strokes or low blood pressure. The National Institute on Aging says families and caregivers should be on the lookout for an older ...

Benefits for Assisted Living Available to Eligible Veterans or Surviving Spouse

Residents of the MorningStar Senior Living communities include veterans from all branches of the military and we are honored to serve them. As a MorningStar team member eloquently said, “Seniors speak powerfully to the fact that freedom comes at a cost. It requires that you choose to do the right thing which almost always includes sacrifice. Whether it’s time, money or comfort, those who came before us chose to sacrifice to build a better society.” When we meet a potential resident who is a veteran or a surviving spouse of a vet, and in need of assisted living ; we are pleased to direct them to a “Financial Concierge.” These financial services experts have the knowledge to ease and quicken the application process for “Aid & Attendance,” which is a benefit offered through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Aid & Attendance benefits are a tax-free pension paid directly to a qualified veteran or their spouse in the form of monthly payments, which is subject to change annuall...

MorningStar’s Luxury Senior Living in Houston

As senior living communities provide a range of benefits such as socialization, healthcare, amenities, and convenient services, it is no surprise it has become a popular lifestyle for many older adults. If your family has already started the search for senior living in Houston , you know there are many options. This may have left you wondering how to narrow down your search to find the optimal community for yourself or a loved one? Experts say the first thing to do is to find a home that provides the proper level of care. If you are a senior who needs help with the ADLs (activities of daily living), assisted living offers you the opportunity to maintain your sense of independence and get on with living your life to the fullest. In addition to 24/7 care managers, access to licensed nurses, and medication management, many assisted living communities offer services including meals, onsite amenities, scheduled transportation, housekeeping and more. They also often provide opportunitie...

MorningStar Independent Living Blog

Search This Blog