30 Habits That Are Wrecking Your Sleep
![<p>A breadth of research points to the dangers of sleep deprivation for every single system in your body, from <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0026049518300635" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:your metabolism;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">your metabolism</a> to <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2017-42065-001" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:your brain function;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">your brain function</a>. Plus, as several studies have concluded, it doesn’t take long to see bad effects of that sleep deficit. Even a couple days of poor sleep could set you back.</p><p>Although sleep problems can sometimes be caused by other health problems, most people suffer because they have less-than-ideal habits in place, according to Hannah Dove, D.P.T., C.S.C.S., of Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, who often sees patients suffering from the negative effects of sleep issues. For those looking to improve athletic performance, sleep is often a stellar starting point, she believes.</p><p>“Do you think professional athletes stay up all night before they train?” she says. “Definitely not. They understand that in order for their bodies to perform at the highest levels, they need plenty of sleep. So, do yourself a favor and do the same.”</p><p>Take a look at these 30 sleep-destroying habits to see if there are any you may need to ditch.</p><p><em>[Smash your goals with a <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a19492479/training-plans/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Runner’s World Training Plan;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Runner’s World Training Plan</a>, designed for any speed and any distance.]</em></p>](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/c19Mii8ZaCX_yaKJ4FbZLQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYzOA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en-US/homerun/hearst_runners_world_631/fed050125275eba0633518e529608a99)
A breadth of research points to the dangers of sleep deprivation for every single system in your body, from your metabolism to your brain function. Plus, as several studies have concluded, it doesn’t take long to see bad effects of that sleep deficit. Even a couple days of poor sleep could set you back.
Although sleep problems can sometimes be caused by other health problems, most people suffer because they have less-than-ideal habits in place, according to Hannah Dove, D.P.T., C.S.C.S., of Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, who often sees patients suffering from the negative effects of sleep issues. For those looking to improve athletic performance, sleep is often a stellar starting point, she believes.
“Do you think professional athletes stay up all night before they train?” she says. “Definitely not. They understand that in order for their bodies to perform at the highest levels, they need plenty of sleep. So, do yourself a favor and do the same.”
Take a look at these 30 sleep-destroying habits to see if there are any you may need to ditch.
[Smash your goals with a Runner’s World Training Plan, designed for any speed and any distance.]
To get better shuteye, shut these bad behaviors down.