HOWTO STOP PROCRASTINATING AT BEDTIME And Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Though there are very real medical conditions, such as insomnia and sleep apnea, that deprive people of sleep, the reason most of us probably do not get enough sleep is simply because we put off our bedtime. Instead of getting into bed, we opt to check off another item on our to- do list or watch another episode of our favorite show. This is sometimes called “bedtime procrastination.” We all know a good night’s sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, so how can we stop putting it off? A good place to start is by keeping track of your day. The human mind is not meant to internalize checklists and task reminders, so use your phone or journal as a scheduling assistant. However you decide to keep track, make sure to give yourself a set amount of time to accomplish your tasks, like letting yourself watch TV for just one hour or blocking out three hours to help your kids with their homework. It might even help to set alarms on your watch or on your phone to let you know when your time is up on any of your activities. Another big part is creating an environment that is conducive to a good night’s sleep, and that starts with turning your electronic devices off well before you get under the covers. Smartphone screens, computer screens, and even some energy-efficient lightbulbs emit blue light, which reduces the production of melatonin, the hormone that tells your body it is time to go to bed. Instead of looking at your phone, try reading a
book before going to sleep. If your screens prove to be too big of a draw for you when bedtime comes, it might be a good idea to move your devices to another room so they are out of sight and out of mind. Finally, do not get discouraged if you do not start getting better sleep right away. Setting up good bedtime routines takes time. But if you stick with it — and maybe have someone else in your household you accountable to your commitments — you will start to get better sleep and have more energy to take on the day in no time.
DO NOT FORGET THE IMPORTANCE OF BREAST CANCER RESEARCH
When was the last time you were checked for breast cancer? In 2018, 2 million new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed worldwide, but that does not mean there were only 2 million people with breast cancer overall. Without speculating on numbers, it is fair to say that breast cancer is not only a widespread disease, but it can also develop very slowly. Although many people think cancer could never happen to them, it is a lot more common than many suspect. If your cells do not control their life cycle correctly (creation, growth, and death), then they do not die at the rate they are supposed to. This excess cell growth can form a tumor. According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, by the time you can feel a lump, it may have been growing for over 10 years. Some tumors are very aggressive and grow faster, while others do not. Between 50%– 75% of breast cancers begin in the milk ducts, 5%–15% begin in the lobules (the sacs that produce milk), and few begin in other breast tissue.
Anyone can get breast cancer, regardless of gender. Testosterone often stops breasts from developing in men, but some milk ducts still exist despite being undeveloped. The risk is much lower, with 1 in 833 U.S. men at risk compared to 1 in 8 U.S. women, but that might make research even more important for male breast cancer patients.
Kim’s mother is a breast cancer survivor, and she feels especially passionate about organizations, like the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which aid breast cancer patients on their recovery journey by supporting treatments and research and gathering statistics that benefit both medical professionals and the public. You can do your part by visiting their donation page at ww5.komen.org. From everyone at the Hegwood Law Group, we thank you for your support!
2 HEGWOOD LAW GROUP
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog