Most health tips require you to deprive yourself of something you really enjoy or to get out there and work up a sweat. However, there is a way that all of us can improve our health without depriving ourselves of anything. Getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health.  Most experts recommend 7-9 hours of sleep at night. Lack of sufficient sleep has been linked to lower immune systems, weight gain and even to higher incidences of cancer and cardiovascular disease. HealthJag is adding a regular feature on how to improve your sleep, or as I like to call it, the lazy man’s health tips.

Today’s tip is to make sure you sleep in a very dark room. Light is one of the body’s most powerful time cues. Any light while you are trying to sleep can cue your body that it is time to stop sleeping. A dark room is the most conducive for sleep – day or night. Even a night light or light from the bathroom can disrupt your normal sleep cycle. Darkness is also required for your body to maximize its production of melatonin, which protects your immune system. So make sure that your room is completely dark.  It’s okay if your room lets in natural light as the sun rises as this will let you awake naturally, but you want to eliminate as much light as possible during your normal sleep cycle.

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