Ever think you yawn way too often? You're not alone! The average person, in good health, yawns up to six times a day! (Fun facts: men yawn more than women, and yawns last 6 seconds on average.)
You don't have to be a genius to know that sleep deprivation is frustrating at the very least. But what some people may not know is that it can lead to many negative effects aside from just tiredness... and yawns.
Some of the effects of sleep deprivation are:
- Decreased performance
- Cognitive Impairment
- Stress
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Stroke
A study published by the NIH (National Institute of Health) showed that earplugs promote better sleep and balance hormones - specifically cortisol which is released during stress, and melatonin, which regulates sleep. This study was performed in an ICU unit, where loud noise is inevitable, which adds more credibility to the efficiency and benefits of of using earplugs for sleep.
Earplugs may just be the solution to your sleeping problems! If you qualify for any of the criteria below, earplugs can be your saving grace.
- If your partner snores a lot
- If you're on the night shift and sleep during the day when it’s loud outside
- If you want to nap during the day
- If you live near a highway or busy street
- If you simply want to sleep more soundly (but still be able to react to your alarm when it goes off)
Keep in mind that using earplugs without cords is safer than using earplugs with cords while sleeping. Also note that if you're using reusable earplugs, clean them every week or so. This reduces the chance of getting an ear infection from any bacteria or dirt that may have built up on the earplug.
Ever tried earplugs to improve your quality of sleep? How was that for you? We'd love to hear - drop us a line below!
Here’s to sleeping soundly!