[excerpt] Attention, all
you brides-to-be: Are you staying up all hours of the night preparing for
the special day? Are you stressing yourselves to the point where you're
losing valuable sleep time in the process?
If your answers are "yes", then it's time for you to make some changes.
While the day of your wedding is an important day in your life, and you
take extraordinary steps to make sure everything goes off without a hitch,
the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) advises all brides-to-be to
practice good sleep habits so you can be alert, well-rested and healthy on
your wedding day.
"It is hard to imagine a more stressful period than the months before a
wedding," said Mary S. Esther, MD, AASM sleep expert. "Not only is there a
lot to do to get ready for the wedding, but you are supposed to continue to
keep up with your usual daily activities at the same time. And, of course,
you want to be at your best, and looking your best, for all the
festivities. With so much to do, it is hard to remember that one of the
best beauty tips is to get enough sleep. In fact, it should be a priority."
Sleep deprivation can lead to problems for everyone, said Esther,
adding that too few Americans, especially women, meet their basic sleep
needs. Dr. Esther notes that it is no surprise to learn that in periods of
stress, such as planning a wedding, sleep deprivation would be expected to
increase.
"Sleep loss causes changes in one's mood," said Esther. "If you are
sleep deprived, you are more likely to feel overwhelmed by the tasks you
have to accomplish -- tasks that would not ordinarily feel too demanding."
Also, when you are sleep deprived, your immune system does not function
as well as it does when you've gotten enough rest, said Esther. One way to
help ensure you don't come down with a virus just before the wedding is to
get enough sleep, said Esther, adding that, in addition, it is known that
there are metabolic effects from sleep loss. Sleep is one of the keys to a
successful diet and a healthy lifestyle, noted Esther.
Dr. Esther adds that with so much planning to accomplish, the bride and
groom may not allow enough relaxation time in the evening, and that those
who are stressed are more likely to suffer from insomnia.
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