As you might imagine, getting a restful night’s sleep is not only important for bus drivers but for everyone. Disrupted sleep will affect your physical and mental health, relationships and your well-being. When someone doesn’t sleep well, they don’t live well and they put themselves at risk for all types of tragedies, including (in some cases) lawsuits!

When you sleep, your body actually does hard work preparing you for the next day. Your brain isn’t just dreaming – it forms new pathways to help you remember and learn new information. In addition, your heart and blood vessels are being repaired. Your body is able to nourish your immune system and maintain a balance of hormones. When you get enough sleep, you are more productive, confident and happier.

Those who are sleep-deprived may also have occurrences of micro sleep. During micro sleep, you experience a brief moment of sleep when you would normally be awake, and this can happen without you realizing it. You cannot control micro sleep, as it can happen while driving or sitting in a lecture. Ironically, when this happens, you won’t remember what happened. Driving while you are sleep-deprived is very dangerous and can affect you just as much as, or even more than being drunk or high on drugs.

If you’re a candidate for sleep apnea or unexplained micro sleep episodes, your doctor may recommend that you complete a sleep study. A sleep study can determine if you have a sleep disorder and how severe it is. Some untreated sleep disorders can raise your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and other medical conditions. Sleep apnea, seizure disorders, movement disorders, and narcolepsy are just a few of the sleep disorders that can be discovered during a sleep study. A sleep study allows the medical professional to note sleep-related problems of which you may not be aware. The study will monitor your sleep and awake times, different sleep stages, any abnormal breathing, how much oxygen is in your blood, and how much movement there is while you are sleeping.

The amazing thing about sleep studies is that they no longer have to be done in a clinical setting. Established companies like VirtuOx – the leading home sleep testing facility in Florida – will ship your own FDA-approved sleep study device to your home. By wearing a device like the VPOD Freedom, you can avoid costly clinical sleep studies and your physician can monitor your sleep without your leaving your own bed.

In addition to getting a sleep study, here are a few other tips to help you get a good night’s sleep:

1. Try your best to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Doing this helps regulate your body’s internal clock. Waking up without the use of an alarm clock is a good way to know if you are getting enough sleep.

2. Stick to your sleep routine, even on the weekends. Sleeping in just a couple of hours can disrupt your body’s internal clock.

3. Napping is okay; however, if you find that you are having trouble sleep at night, then you may want to cut the naps out altogether. If you must nap, make them short (15-20 minutes).

In conclusion, you can avoid the hazards of an accident from an undiagnosed sleep disorder by engaging in a home-sleep study with a company like VirtuOx, engaging in good sleep habits and routines, and napping when needed. By taking these precautions, you will get the rest your body needs to perform the functions you need to live a healthier and happier life.