Thanksgiving leftovers have all been eaten, and by now, the holiday shopping season is fully underway. Millions of Americans made online purchases over the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend, but there will still be plenty of people doing their shopping in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

As nice as it is to give gifts to others, there is no denying that sometimes it is good to give a gift to yourself. While a CPAP machine may not seem like a traditional stocking stuffer, for someone who has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, it could just be the best gift you’ll ever get.

Here’s why anyone with sleep apnea should make a CPAP machine their number one “wish list” item this holiday season.

Actually Feel Rested in the Morning

Individuals with severe sleep apnea could wake up upwards of 30 times in a single hour. When the airways close off, the flow of oxygen is interrupted. Your body eventually recognizes this and forces you to wake up. While most people fall back asleep so quickly that they don’t remember what has happened, this severely undermines your sleep quality.

Such interruptions keep you from getting the “deep sleep” your body needs for you to feel rested and rejuvenated in the morning. Even if you think you got seven to nine hours of sleep, you will still feel exhausted when you wake up.

A CPAP machine directly counteracts this by providing a steady flow of pressurized air. This keeps your breathing passages open throughout the night, putting a stop to sleep apnea interruptions. In fact, CPAP is so effective that studies have called it “the gold standard” for putting a stop to sleep apnea episodes.

Actually feeling well rested each morning makes CPAP a gift worth receiving. With a good night’s sleep, the rest of the day will go that much better.

Sleep Better, Stay Healthy

Most people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are focused on how they feel tired all the time. While this is the most immediately apparent side effect of this sleep disorder, the truth of the matter is that untreated sleep apnea can have an even worse impact in the long run.

Left untreated, sleep apnea has been associated with a host of serious medical problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease. Adults who already have acid reflux or asthma will often experience worsening symptoms due to sleep apnea. Poor sleep can also weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to other illnesses.

Sleep apnea can also impact your mental and emotional health. There’s a reason why people tend to feel crabby and irritable when they don’t get enough sleep. The interruptions to sleep caused by sleep apnea can also result in mental confusion and memory loss, making it harder for you to concentrate on work or other activities. This mental and physical fatigue could also put you at greater risk for accidents while at work or driving.

Though not always immediately apparent, the fact of the matter is that using a CPAP machine to control your sleep apnea will have a huge impact on your overall health. By giving yourself the gift of CPAP therapy, you are ultimately giving yourself a gift of fewer medical complications in the years to come.

A Gift That Benefits Others

Giving yourself a CPAP machine is not a selfish gift — even if it benefits your life in several significant ways. A CPAP machine will also make getting a good night’s rest easier for your spouse.

The reason? Obstructive sleep apnea often causes individuals to snore as a result of the airway constrictions that occur. In addition, during a sleep apnea episode, the affected person will typically wake up gasping and choking for breath before falling back asleep. Needless to say, all this noise can disrupt sleep for anyone sharing the room with you. When your spouse’s sleep gets disrupted, it can be all too easy for resentment and frustration to brew.

Though some people are nervous about how their spouse might judge them on their appearance when wearing a CPAP mask, the benefits far outweigh concerns over how you might look while you are both sleeping. Undergoing CPAP therapy will put a stop to disruptive nighttime noises, allowing your partner to also get the sleep they need.

When both of you are well rested, you will be better able to manage life’s everyday stresses together without getting overwhelmed. It will be easier to focus on the positive in your relationship as you work together toward your family’s goals.

Give Yourself a Gift That Lasts

As a kid, many of the toys you received on Christmas morning were likely broken and forgotten about within a month. Now, however, you have the opportunity to give yourself a gift that will truly benefit your life — not just for a month, but for many years to come.

Here at Help Medical Supplies, we know that holiday shopping budgets can be stretched tight. If you don’t have insurance, the idea of purchasing a CPAP machine may seem like too much for your budget to handle, no matter how much you may need it. However, with discounted prices on top CPAP brands, free shipping, and available financing, we make it easy to get the equipment you need without breaking your budget.

As long as you have a valid CPAP prescription, you can use our site to find the right equipment for your needs. Happy holidays!