What health issue millions of Americans have in common with Kanye West and what to do about it

9 years ago | Sleep

By pH health care professionals

You may have heard about Kanye West’s recent hospitalization, reportedly for exhaustion and sleep deprivation. Some sources said it was a “mental breakdown,” following what’s been called “erratic behavior,” including controversial rants, ending concerts early, and even canceling the rest of his tour.

"I think he's exhausted. Just really tired," his mother-in-law Kris Jenner said to ET. "It's a grueling tour."

While most of us aren’t living Kanye’s lifestyle, the Better Sleep Council has found that around half of Americans say they don’t get enough sleep, but many don’t do anything about it. The average adult generally needs seven to eight hours of restful sleep per night, but many are getting six or fewer, the CDC says.

Not getting enough sleep has been linked with car crashes, industrial disasters, and medical and other occupational errors, the CDC reports. Being deprived of sleep also makes you more likely to suffer from hypertension, diabetes, depression, obesity and cancer, with increased mortality and reduced quality of life and productivity.

That last point is interesting because many people are skipping sleep for the sake of productivity, and yet, their productivity suffers when they aren’t well-rested. For others though, their lack of sleep is due to a sleep disorder like insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea.

So what are some ways you can be proactive so you don’t become exhausted?

Set a schedule. Try to be consistent with when you go to bed and when you wake up, the National Sleep Foundation suggests.
Create a sleepy environment. A room temperature between 60-67 degrees and a nice, dark atmosphere free of noise and distraction can help.
Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and heavy meals in the evening. These can interfere with sleep. Try to avoid a large meal two or three hours before bedtime. If you are hungry, go for a light snack 45 minutes before bed, the foundation says.
Exercise. Add regular exercise to your schedule to reap tons of benefits, including better sleep. Never been one to hit the gym? Find a fun hobby like walking your dog after dinner or playing tennis with friends.
Consider magnesium. This mineral gets overlooked, but it’s important for over 300 reactions in the body. It may help you combat insomnia. If you are struggling with sleep and exhaustion, our new book, Minerals - The Forgotten Nutrient, has some information that may interest you. Click here to check it out!

Need more convincing? Read more about the importance of healthy sleep here, and leave a comment to let us know if we convinced you!

Enjoy Your Healthy Life!

The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, health care attorneys, nutritionists, nurses and certified fitness instructors. To learn more about the pH Health Care Team, click here.