Seven is a lucky number when it involves sleep and do you know what is the best natural sleep aid?
Before I reveal this best natural sleep aid, let me show you why seven is the lucky number...
A new study finds that people who sleep seven hours a night have a lower risk of health problems common. And if you're not getting enough Zs, you're at risk of certain diseases, illnesses and possibly even an untimely death.
If you manage to sleep much more than that, you probably consider yourself lucky (and probably do not have children at home). But do not get too comfortable as you count your sheep - because sleeping too much also comes with a risk of disease.
Sometimes, you just can not win ... even in your own bed.
The researchers analyzed data from more than 30,000 adults found that those who slept less than five hours a day had twice the risk of angina pectoris, heart disease, heart attack or stroke in general.
The researchers say adults under 60 years who slept five hours a night or less had triple the risk of cardiovascular disease compared with those who got seven hours of sleep. Women who slept five hours or less were 2.5 times more risk.
The study published in the journal Sleep also found that people who slept nine hours or more were 1.5 times greater risk of cardiovascular disease than those who slept seven hours per night. People who slept most also faced a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
Moreover, researchers at West Virginia University said that these associations held even after adjusting for factors such as age, weight, physical activity and smoking.
In fact, even after removing all patients with diabetes, high blood pressure or depression, they found that sleeping too much or too little is always associated with a significant boost in risk.
Like everything else in life, sleep is a balance.
Meanwhile, another study finds that people who do not sleep enough during the week can be compensated by a single session of extended sleep.
University of Pennsylvania researchers looked at 142 adults who received four hours of sleep per night for five nights and found the same thing that you could have experienced if you've gone through a period like this: Sleep loss made them sluggish and out of focus.
Investigators did not say, but I'm willing to bet these insomniacs were more than a little cranky, too. But after a night where they were allowed to sleep for 10 hours, subjects were back in the state of full alert.
So while this is good news for anyone who needs to catch up after a bad week, just remember the first study - because losing sleep regularly does not just make you tired and groggy.
Indeed, it can kill.
Okay, so you say that you've tried prescription pills from your doctor and have been on it for some time now and you're hooked on it? Sure, what do you expect? These pills are made by the pharmaceutical industry to ensure you keep going back to them to help you sleep. Don't dream on it - this is not win-win.
If you're looking for the best natural sleep aid, visit this site - Sleep Well - Natural Sleep Solutions.