Sleep is crucial for our overall well-being. It helps us rejuvenate and prepare for the day ahead. But what if you're not getting quality sleep? Poor sleep can affect your physical health, mental well-being, and daily performance. The information below can help you to decide whether or not you are getting the restful sleep you need.

Difficulty Falling Asleep: Do you find it hard to fall asleep when you go to bed? If it takes you more than 30 minutes to fall asleep, it may be a sign of poor sleep quality. Normally, falling asleep should happen within 15 to 20 minutes of lying down.

Frequent Waking Up at Night: Do you frequently wake up during the night? Waking up multiple times or struggling to fall back asleep can disrupt your sleep cycles. These interruptions can prevent you from reaching the deep and restorative stages of sleep, leaving you feeling groggy and tired in the morning.

Daytime Sleepiness and Fatigue: Feeling excessively tired and sleepy during the day, even after a seemingly adequate night's sleep, is another sign of poor sleep quality. If you find yourself struggling to stay awake or feeling the need for frequent naps, it may indicate that your sleep is not providing you the energy that you need.

Lack of Concentration and Memory Issues: Quality sleep is essential for cognitive functions such as concentration, memory and learning. If you often struggle to focus, have difficulty remembering things or experience a decline in your overall cognitive abilities, it could be a result of poor sleep quality.

Mood Swings and Irritability: Have you noticed changes in your mood, such as increased irritability, impatience or feeling more emotional than usual? Poor sleep can affect your emotional well-being, leading to mood swings, anxiety and even depression. Adequate and restful sleep helps regulate emotions and promotes a positive mental state.

Reduced Immune Function: Sleep plays a crucial role in supporting a healthy immune system. If you find yourself falling ill more frequently, catching colds or taking longer to recover from illnesses, it could be due to poor sleep quality. Inadequate rest weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections.

Recognizing the signs of poor sleep quality is the first step in addressing any sleep-related issues you may be facing. If you experience any of the above symptoms, it could be a good time to check in with yourself to see how the quality of your sleep has been lately. If you are lacking in one area, what is one small thing that you can do to get back to having good sleep quality? Remember, quality sleep is vital for your well-being, so make it a priority for a healthier and happier life.

For a “behind the scenes” look at how sleep works and to identify some of the most impactful steps you can take to improve or maintain the quality of your sleep, check out the webinar Fundamentals of Healthy Sleep presented by Travis D. Westbrook, Ph.D. Psychologist, Assistant Professor Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

To learn more about ways to determine if you are getting good quality sleep, the effects of poor sleep on the body and learn strategies to improve sleep, join health coaches Amanda and Michael for a four-week Group Health Coaching series “Sleep Well for Wellness!” starting on September 13 at 12:30 p.m. Click here to register.