ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. -
In our fast paced society many people do what they can to race to the top. We're working more hours, taking less sick time, even fewer vacation days.
All that is creating a lot of stress, which can affect how we sleep. Doctor Sabieli Kabeli says he's noticed the change in lifestyle taking its toll on his clients.
"Your work day is no longer the typical 9 to 5 that it used to be many years ago so people's sleep tends to be more fragmented," said Kabeli.
Kabeli works at the Vermont Medical Sleep Disorders Center in Essex Junction, Vermont.
He says the majority of his patients struggle with sleep because of stress.
"Going to bed at night time and trying to fall asleep their mind begins to race and they can't concentrate on trying to fall asleep," said Kabeli.
Sometimes, it's not that easy, though to find a cause. That's why the center tests people to find a deeper reason.
Fox 44 wanted to find out what those tests are like, and what they are meant to find, so we went to the medical facility to go through the process yourself. First we had sensors attached to our head, legs and neck.
After about an hour we were ready and brought to a bedroom. A technician monitored us from another room while we laid there.
The sensors picking up our heart and brain activity. The doctor studied the information collected to find out if there are any abnormalities in the tests.
"We look to see how well you breath at night time, how well you sleep, how well your brain, what your brain activity is like," said Kabeli.
Testing is a long-term solution, but there are simple steps you can take tonight to sleep better. First, there are sleeping pills.
Medicine Kabeli says they have come a long way, but with most medicine people who take them should be careful.
"People become dependent on medications where if they don't have their sleep aid at night time they feel that they will not be able to fall asleep," said Kabeli.
Kabeli says for even more simple fixes, consider these: Remove distractions from your bedroom, like a cell phone, TV and radio.
He also says to exercise at least 30 minutes a few hours before you lay down. If you need music, light jazz is the way to go.
The important thing Kabeli says don't head to bed with things nearby that can increase your stress level.
"The point being to associate your bedroom really with sleep," said Kabeli.
One final piece of advice if you are in bed and struggling to sleep don't stay there. After about 20 minutes get up and leave the room.
When you are feeling tired again, that's when you return to bed.
