Here are a few numbers recently reported by the National Sleep Foundation:

• 6.9. American adults average only 6.9 hours of sleep a night – less than the 8 hours recommended by most sleep experts.
• 75. That’s the percentage of adults who say their partner has a sleep-related problem. Snoring is the most common complaint, which can be a symptom of sleep apnea.
• 25. Sleep problems affect 25% of American adults in a negative way. While most adults don’t use any sleep aid, 11% say they use alcohol to help them relax. Another 9% use over-the-counter sleep aids and 7% say they use prescription medication.

While you may be able to tolerate less sleep as an adolescent without immediately noticeable side effects, recent research shows that adults who lack a consistent good night’s sleep can speed up their aging process. In the November 2009 issue of the journal Aging, it was noted that lack of sleep decreases your ability to handle stress, increases neurological and motor deterioration and ultimately shortens your life.

Natraj Krishnan, a research associate at Oregon State University, commented, “This study suggests that young individuals may be able to handle certain stresses, but the same insults at an older age cause genetic damage and appear to lead to health problems and earlier death. And it’s linked to biological clocks.”

A Calendar that will provide a Tip of the Day for June or Any Month!

SparkPeople’s calendar will help put a focus on one healthy habit each month. For June, that means achieving an active lifestyle.

Contained in this calendar are 30 daily tips that will help you include more activity in your day. Click here to download and print your June calendar. (You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download this PDF - You can get it here http://get.adobe.com/reader/.)

Before going to bed it is best to end a challenging day with an inspiring video.
The decision between Louise Hay and Wayne Dyer was difficult; neither moved me at the moment, until I glanced over at . . .

“300”

Yes! I instantly felt the adrenaline and testosterone coursing through my veins.
This is the movie of all movies . . .

The ancient Battle of Thermopylae, where King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. The message rang clear as Leonidas exhibited a leadership of the highest esteem while challenged by insurmountable odds. Their valor and sacrifice inspired all of Greece.

Did you know?
Latex and polyurethane condoms help reduce the spread of HIV and other STDs. They do not get rid of the risk entirely.

Steps to take
For “safer sex”, use a latex or polyurethane condom correctly and every time you have sex or genital-to-genital contact. Do this unless you have sex with only one partner and neither of you has an STD.

It is believed that a positive attitude about life can contribute to longevity. Unfortunately, many people suffer from psychoscolosis– a hardening of the attitudes.

No one fitness activity will meet all your needs, so take the cafeteria approach. Try a few things to help you decide what suits you best. Don’t rely on one activity; variety helps you stick with your program.

Data from the Framingham Heart Study on over 2,000 women showed that those who were obese, with the greatest percentage of their fat located on the back and belly, had a 72 to 100 percent greater chance of developing breast cancer. For this reason, women with high levels of torso fat should make extra effort to lose weight.

Diet is the single greatest factor related to the likelihood of getting cancer, responsible for some 35% of all cases. Tobacco use is close behind with responsibility for 30% of the cases. Alcohol and sun exposure cause 6% of cases.

The most deadly form of skin cancer is malignant melanoma. It can be identified by certain types of pigmented spots. Asymmetry in which one-half of the pigmented spot does not match the other half. Border irregularity. Color varies from one area to another. Diameter is larger than a pencil eraser.