Not getting enough sleep can make you feel out of sorts and unfocused almost like you're one step behind your usual self. It can even make you feel out of sync with situations and people around you -- family, friends or co-workers. It's important to get the sleep you need, so you can wake up ready to embrace your day and feel more engaged in what's going on around you.

Sleep loss is not just a "nighttime" problem. Its impact can extend far into the day, limiting how well you can physically and mentally. While there is clearly no substitute for a good night's sleep, there are ways to increase your chances of staying alert on the job and behind the wheel.

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help overcome your sleep problems which include increased risks for depression, more likelihood of work errors, impaired concentration, slowed reaction time and poorer work performance, impatience, being cranky or irritable. Higher incidence of workplace accidents, traffic accidents and microsleeps can also occur.

Though your bedroom may not be as conducive to sleep as it could be, several strategies can make your bedroom more sleep-friendly. For example, one can block out noise. Or better yet, eliminate it. Even if you fall back to sleep after noise wakes you, the quality of your sleep can be compromised. The issue isn't merely how light affects your eyes. Light also affects the way your brain produces hormones that regulate your sleep cycle. Even a minimal amount of light can disrupt your sleep. If you are the type that finds it hard sleeping, looking at the clock can make you anxious. Therefore, it's best to keep it out of view.

More information: http://www.tcmadvisory.com/2007/3-29/2007329151343.html