IMPORTANCE OF GOOD SLEEP

Did you ever know that sleep could be THIS crucial to our well-being? I know that most teenagers never pause a moment before staying up all night! As we get into your twenties, that same excitement for staying up all night never wanes. Yet when we meet people in their thirties they staying up all night only a few times a week and it leaves some traces in their system next day. In the forties, it starts becoming less palatable to go without sleep. Meet someone in their fifties sixties and seventies and they laugh at the idea of staying up all night since they know the toll it exerts on the body and mind.

Most of us can never guess that a good night’s rest is critical for
– optimal hormone levels
– good mood
– great immune system
– good digestion
– fat loss
– better concentration
– better skin clarity

And so on!

Did you know that most people who have chronic illnesses cannot sleep well at night. Often those with thyroid issues or type 2 diabetes report disturbed night time sleep.

And many burn the candle at both ends to find out that later they have to spend many years rectifying that late night habit. I was one of them!!!And I never knew it was affecting my body adversely!!!! After finding out what that did to my system I am super passionate about spreading the word about creating good health through good lifestyle choices:))

ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP?

Sleep is something many of us #enjoy and take for granted. Some people can sleep anytime anywhere. While there is a big section out there that has trouble even getting a wink! Yet the fact is that sleep is one of the most important factors in creating optimal health. A good Sleep helps us rest and rejuvenate and also helps us lose weight and become more creative. Many of you have written in asking for ways to ensure a good rest. Here they are:

Create an evening routine to signal the body to calm down
– take a shower
– stop using devices 2 hours before bedtime
– dim the lights
– eat your meal 3 hours before
– don’t watch TV after 5 pm
– stop coffee or tea after 2 pm
– take a relaxing walk
– breathe deeply for 20 minutes
– create a meditation routine nightly
– create a gratitude journal and write nightly
– use positive sleep affirmations

Taking a shower promotes blood flow, calms the nervous system and helps the mind to relax. Alternate nostril breathing is excellent for reducing stress and anxiety. Record any thoughts and events of the day and allow everything to be released so your nights rest is free of any ideas. Positive affirmations like “I am surrounded by love and support at all times” or “ I can let go of everything to the wisdom of the Universe and sleep easily” will help over time. Don’t carry mental emotional or psychological burdens on your shoulders. Let everything be offered to a higher power so YOU can let go and sleep easy.

If nothing works like on a flight or a specific day, taking a melatonin will help. Never take this over a prolonged period of time. Similarly taking sleeping pills over a period of weeks creates severe side effects including incoherent thinking, lack of focus, slurring of speech, insomnia etc