Graves Gilbert Clinic doctor shares importance of getting proper sleep
BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Getting enough sleep is essential for our health and well-being, but over the years, the amount and quality of sleep we get has changed. In the 1950s, the average American slept about 8.5 hours per night.
Today, that average has dropped to just 6 to 6.5 hours, a trend that experts say is troubling.
Dr. Michael Zachek, director of Sleep Medicine at Graves Gilbert Clinic, explains that this lack of sleep is unnatural, saying, “When we fight with Mother Nature, Mother Nature is going to win.”
While many people focus on how much sleep they get, the way you sleep is just as important.
Robert Murray, assistant professor of Sleep Medicine at the University of Kentucky, points out that the quality of sleep can be just as critical as the quantity.
“If you sleep less than seven hours, you’re putting stress on your body, which increases your blood pressure,” Murray says. This increased stress can lead to serious health issues, including heart attacks, strokes and other life-threatening illnesses.
Sleep apnea and insomnia aren’t just problems for older adults—they affect people of all ages. Zachek highlights how children who don’t get enough sleep may struggle to focus or perform in school. Adults with sleep apnea also experience poor sleep quality due to disrupted, choppy rest, which leaves them feeling exhausted despite spending hours in bed.
A common misconception is that sleeping a certain number of hours guarantees you’ll be fully rested. However, both Zachek and Murray emphasize that improper sleep can have a long list of negative effects, including feeling sluggish, making mistakes and being inattentive at work or even while driving—something that can be especially dangerous.
With technology constantly advancing, sleep experts encourage people to be proactive about their sleep health. Rather than reacting to sleep problems after they arise, creating healthy habits before bedtime can help ensure better quality rest and improve overall health.
