There's probably no more important step for your short-and long-term health than to try and get as much sleep as possible every night. Adults should aim for between 7.5 and 9 hours of sleep each night, which can have lasting tangible effects on your mental and physical health, quality of life, and stress levels.
There are a number of lifestyle and behavioral changes you can make to improve your sleep cycle. If you have a flexible spending account (FSA), there are products available to help you get a more restful night's sleep.
Here are a few FSA eligible expenses related to better sleep:
OTC Sleep Aids
For those nights when you need a little extra help falling asleep, over-the-counter sleep aids are a great solution. These medications are made with antihistamines to provide that extra push to help you achieve a restful sleep. While these products are not habit-forming, continual use will reduce their efficacy over time.
Check Out: Unisom SleepGels, Maximum Strength Nighttime Sleep Aid, Softgels, 32 ea
Melatonin Supplements
Melatonin is a naturally-occurring hormone in the body that is created by the pineal gland and is released during nighttime hours to prepare the body for sleep. As these levels rise, a person will become less alert and sleep will be more inviting, and this hormone will stay present for about 10-12 hours. For melatonin to be helpful, it's important to speak with a doctor to find the correct dosage, method and time of day it should be taken to be appropriate for the sleep problem.
Nighttime Pain Relievers
Whether you suffer from arthritis, joint pain, recurring headaches or other conditions, these can dramatically interfere with your sleep cycle. This is why many individuals rely on nighttime pain relievers before bed to ward of minor aches and pains that may contribute to bouts of sleeplessness.
Check Out: Advil PM Caplets, 80 ct. (You will need a prescription for FSA reimbursement)
