Around Town: | Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

The CSG Coalition Member Meeting will be held November 26 at the Spencer Environmental Center, 303 12th St. Debbie Buckner, Georgia Legislative Representative, will give a preview of the 2019 Georgia General Assembly Session. The session begins at Noon and lunch will be provided for $10. Please RSVP to csgcolumbus@gmail.com.

The Citizens Review Panel for the River Valley Region, created under the Transportation Investment Act of 2012, will meet 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 27 at the Crisp County Power Commission, 202 South 7th St., Cordele, Ga. The purpose of the meeting is to review the progress of projects included in the approved investment list for the Transportation Special purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST). The public is invited. For more information, call 706-256-2910.

Millions of Americans toss and turn much of the night, unable to fall asleep-or to stay asleep once they finally do drift off. Without proper sleep, you could be drowsy at work the next day, unable to properly perform your job and irritable with everyone around you. And that’s not all. “Lack of sleep can leave you fatigued and with a weakened immune system, which could make you more susceptible to infections,” says Dr. Shab Krish, author of “Restore Your Rest: Solutions for TMJ and Sleep Disorders.” “Lack of sleep can also decrease your mental acuity, disrupt natural hormone levels and lead to a variety of other significant health problems.” Here are a few suggestions for those who find themselves still grumpy and exhausted when morning arrives:

▪ Set your clock to remind you bedtime is approaching: You probably already set your clock so that you wake up when you need to in the morning. But also set an alarm for 30 minutes before bedtime. This will give you time to shut off your electronic devices and start to unwind. You should strive to go to bed at the same time every night.

▪ Set the mood: Your bedroom should be an oasis. Keep dark shades covering all windows to eliminate light and noise. Set the thermostat at between 68 to 72 degrees.

▪ Follow rituals: Establish nightly bedtime rituals, such as taking a warm bath, listening to relaxing music or reading. A nightly routine will tell your brain that it’s time to start relaxing and preparing for sleep.

▪ Use your bed only as a bed: People lead busy, stress-filled lives and sometimes they take their work to bed right along with them, determined to answer one last email or finish that report before they turn out the light. Doing work or other stressful activities while in bed can make it difficult for your brain to relax when it’s time to sleep. Go into a different room to finish that work. That way when your body hits the mattress, your brain knows it can start to relax.

▪ Rule out a sleep disorder: Experiencing trouble falling asleep, waking up regularly during the night, and snoring are a few of the indications that you might have a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea. When you wake up in the morning, you should feel refreshed. If you don’t, that might be an indicator of a more serious problem and you should consider talking to a medical professional.