Interview: Getting A Good Night's Sleep, And How You Can Make That Happen

"Getting a good night’s sleep has so many physical, emotional, and mental benefits. Yet with all of the distractions that demand our attention, going to sleep on time and getting enough rest has become extremely elusive to many of us. Why is sleep so important and how can we make it a priority?"

As part of Authority Magazine's interview series called “Sleep: Why You Should Make Getting A Good Night’s Sleep A Major Priority In Your Life, And How You Can Make That Happen”, Dr. Kerklaan shares insights from this knowledge and clinical experience about how to make getting a good night’s sleep a priority in your life. 

Dr. Andrew Kerklaan

What is your unique contribution to the world of wellness?: "Through my 20+ years in practice, I mostly addressed chronic health issues with patients. Those chronic issues often stem from lifestyle factors and most often had their root cause in stress responses. In chronic health challenges, many people end up in a cycle of pain leading to poor sleep which lead to low energy, lack of activity, and exercise. Sleep is always a critical aspect to address in someone’s recovery. Discussions around sleep quality and how to improve your sleep were always an important part of helping someone feel better."

How much sleep should an adult get: "In theory, we need six to eight hours of sleep a night. Sleep is anabolic for many body functions. It is our time to recover, it is our time to build, it is our time to fight off disease and illness. But everyone is different; some people need a little more sleep and some people need a little less sleep. What is most important is actually the quality of our sleep. Good quality sleep is critical for our health and well-being. With good quality sleep, you may need a little bit less."

Read Dr. Kerklaan's complete interview HERE as he answers more questions on what you need to know to get the sleep you need and wake up refreshed and energized. 

  • What would you advise someone who wakes up in the middle of the night and can’t fall back to sleep?
  • What would you advise someone who wakes up in the middle of the night and can’t fall back to sleep?
  • What are your thoughts about taking a nap during the day?
  • If there was a hypothetical choice between getting to bed at 10AM and getting up at 4AM, for a total of 6 hours, or going to bed at 2AM and getting up at 10AM for a total of 8 hours, is one a better choice for your health?