On the average, adults require 8 to 8.
5 hours of sleep per night, but Americans aren't getting this much.
According to a telephone poll done by the National Sleep Foundation, 20% of Americans reported getting six or less hours of sleep in 2009.
Furthermore, one in four adults suffer from some kind of sleeping disorder, and even worse, approximately 95% of those with sleep disorders are undiagnosed.
In fact, whether you don't get enough sleep or sleep too much, it can be dangerous to your health.
Regardless of whether you don't get enough sleep or sleep too much, it can result in an increased risk of workplace and motor vehicle related accidents, decreased alertness, an increased risk for heart problems and diabetes, and more.
Although sleeping problems can be caused by several different factors, one common cause are circadian rhythm sleep disorders.
The circadian rhythm is a 24-hour, internal biological clock.
It can affect the way we behave, eat, and sleep.
Driven by the level of light, if we don't get enough light during the fall and winter, it can affect our levels of melatonin.
Melatonin is a light-dependent hormone that induces sleepiness.
Melatonin is produced in the darkness, and peak levels are secreted between 2 AM and 4 AM in the morning.
If we secrete too much melatonin, it can cause us to be excessively sleepy and tired.
On the other hand, if we don't have enough melatonin, it can make it difficult to fall asleep.
Thankfully, there is a solution.
Wakeup lights and sunrise alarm clocks can balance our melatonin levels and help us get a better night's sleep.
While some wakeup lights only have dawn simulation, some have both dawn and dusk simulation.
Dawn simulation uses a gradually intensifying light over a set of amount of time, and dusk simulation uses a gradually decreasing light for a set amount of time.
While dawn simulation helps you awaken more easily in the morning and feel more refreshed, dusk simulation helps you relax, fall asleep faster, and sleep deeper.
There are several name brand wake-up lights on the market.
Although most offer dawn-dusk simulation, some offer even more features.
Dependent upon which brand you buy, some of the features include: iPod jacks and or rechargers, nature sounds, white noise, random security lights, and more.
However, before you buy one, be sure to research them carefully.
Some brands have light bulb issues, and the light bulbs aren't replaceable.
Consequently, the longevity of your wakeup light can be reduced.