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Avoid This: Skimping on Sleep
Insufficient rest has been implicated as a risk factor for obesity, stroke, and more aggressive breast cancers later in life. Get in the habit of going to bed at the same time every night (setting a bedtime alarm can help), and follow these tips to wake up refreshed.
How to Drift Off: Get your body ready for sleep with progressive muscle relaxation. While lying on your back, tense your face muscles for five seconds, then relax for 30 seconds. Repeat the exercise for the major muscles of your body, slowly working from your shoulders and neck to the tips of your toes.
How to Go Back to Sleep: Keep a journal by your bed. If you wake up in the middle of the night worried you'll forget something on your never-ending to-do list, jot down a reminder to yourself and sleep a little easier.
How to Wake Up Well: Skip the snooze button. The extra time may feel good, but it's not really helping you. To experience the restorative effects of sleep, your body needs to go through several sleep stages—which won't happen in nine minutes. Instead, set your alarm for later and get more uninterrupted z's.
Next: Dr. Oz's 24 smart strategies for feeling great at every age
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