Why is a good
night's sleep important? Tips from Maine's Mid Coast Hospital
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TO BETTER SLEEP
The cost of a good night's sleeplessness
is high.
 Sleep
deprivation is dangerous.
What happens when we're deprived of the restful sleep
we need? We're less alert and attentive, more inclined
to irritability and other mood problems that can make
our relationships with family, friends and co-workers
difficult. Our concentration and judgment suffer, our
ability to perform even simple tasks declines, our productivity
is sabotaged. Sleeplessness, whether it's the result
of a sleep disorder or an overextended lifestyle, invites
diminished quality of life and deteriorating health.
When we lose sleep or our sleep is poor, we also put
ourselves and those around us at high risk for accidents.
If we ignore our sleep needs and get behind the wheel
of a car, lives may be at stake. It only takes a few
seconds--just long enough for a tired body to steal
a needed "micro-sleep"-- to run off the road
or into an oncoming car.
Major industrial catastrophes such as the Three Mile
Island incident have been attributed to human error
that occurred during times when the body is at its sleepiest.
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