Sleep: The Health Game-Changer
I don’t know about you, but the way I feel after a good night’s sleep versus a bad one, is like the difference between night and day. Good quality rest helps your body repair, boosts your mood, and keeps your brain sharp. Sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s a vital part of your health toolkit. .
Why prioritizing sleep is a MUST on your wellness journey:
There are many ways in which sleep helps keep our body and mind healthy. Below are just a few:
It helps support your immune system
Helps regulate those appetite hormones (when you’re tired, leptin decreases and ghrelin increases)
Improves memory
Helps manage chronic conditions by repairing our cells
How much do we need?
Aim for 7-8 hours each night.
Have trouble falling asleep?
Here are some tips to help you establish good sleep hygiene and drift off to that oh-so-needed, good night’s rest:
Keep a consistent bedtime. Personally, I am not a night owl. I never have been. So for me, getting to bed around 9:30 or 10 PM is a must! I am a morning person and will wake at the crack of dawn no matter what time I go to sleep. But whatever time is good for you, keep it consistent. This will help strengthen the circadian rhythm (the body’s natural 24-hour-clock that regulates sleep patterns).
Create a calming bedtime routine like reading, journaling, or mindful breathing.
Limit screen time before heading to bed. Let your brain turn off all that information and relax for a while before calling it a night.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol a few hours before bed. Each person’s tolerance to caffeine may differ, but for many, it’s best to avoid it the second half of the day. And while alcohol may help you fall asleep, it can interfere with consistent sleep, causing disruption during the night.
Exercise. Regular exercise has an impact on improving sleep (three cheers for this one!).
So, the next time you’re thinking about staying up a little later to watch another episode of your favorite show, or to scroll through more videos on social, pause for just a minute and remind yourself that it can wait until tomorrow. Your body and mind will thank you for the extra rest.
