By Ellie White-Stevens

One of the most important aspects of overall health is often the most overlooked.

Sleep.

You need it. Too many people run themselves ragged and, while they may take care of themselves from a nutrition and exercise standpoint, are not getting the rest they need.

“The reason why sleep is so important is because in order to have your body recover, you need rest – and rest means sleep,” said Dr. Karyn Staples, PT, PhD, NCPT of ProHealth Physical Therapy and Pilates Studio in Peachtree City. “If you’re not getting good quality sleep, then the body doesn’t ever get to that recovery stage.”

Getting an appropriate amount of comfortable sleep helps improve mental clarity as well as physical energy; “more ability to feel present in what they are doing,” as Staples put it.

The standard that is accepted by most people is a range of 6-8 hours of sleep per night. Exactly what time that begins and ends can vary. Not everyone is wired the same. Some of us are early-morning people, while others are more effective late at night.

Technology that is more invasive than ever in daily life should be considered when maintaining sleep patterns. It is a good idea to shut off all screens at least 30 minutes before going to sleep. Letting your brain relax a bit sooner is a good way to transition into full rest.

The temperature of the room is important. A large number of married couples must contend with the other spouse wanting the thermostat at a vastly different setting, or the great divide between one person wanting a fan on at all times and the other one desiring multiple blankets even in summer.

The support you get from your mattress is also a key. If you are going to spend one-third of your life on it, you should make sure it works for you. The correct kind of pillow and how you use it will contribute to your sleep posture and comfort, which is not the same for everyone.

“There is nothing that says you must sleep a certain way,” said Staples. “It really has to do with the ability of the body to relax and feel supported.”

Being properly hydrated before going to bed is a solid practice – not necessarily drinking all of the water you need each day at the end of the day, but making sure you get what you need all day long. Getting up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break is not a problem unless there is difficulty in going back to sleep afterward.

“In general, the ultimate goal would be to be able to fall asleep without any external means, meaning medications or supplements,” said Staples. “However, some people need them because of a chemical imbalance or just something in their system that needs to change to put them in a calmer state that allows for quality rest.”

Of course, the kinds of injuries that lead patients to seek assistance at ProHealth can make sleeping tougher than usual. For example, someone recovering from rotator cuff repair can have a hard time getting comfortable at night for several reasons.

“Typically with shoulder surgery, it’s very uncomfortable to lie down,” said Staples. “You definitely cannot lie down on the surgical side, and it also feels uncomfortable to lie down on the nonsurgical side. Sleeping on the back is uncomfortable early on because it feels like the gravity is pushing the shoulder too far back. Patients are usually advised to sleep in a recliner or in an elevated position, which can be very challenging simply because it is not the normal position in which people fall asleep.”

Often after surgery, it is desirable to get in some nap time throughout the day in addition to the normal nighttime routine. When the body is working to heal, it just needs more rest.

Physical therapy can be helpful for these situations. A trained professional can help get you into a comfortable position with appropriate pillow support, while also addressing such issues as hydration and staying on the right medication schedule.

ProHealth Physical Therapy and Pilates Studio is located at 1777 Georgian Park in Peachtree City. For more information or to book an appointment, phone 770-487-1931 or visit www.prohealthga.com.