Sleep is important for your health, both your physical and mental well-being. Not getting a good night’s sleep can dramatically impact your performance during the day. Chronic lack of sleep can lead to all sorts of health issues, such as depression and even weight gain. In other words, not getting the sleep you need has many consequences.
On the flip side, making sure you get enough rest can help you feel more energized. You get more done which boosts your self-confidence and in turn your overall happiness. Making sure you get your beauty rest makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it? I’m a night owl myself, so the temptation to stay up too late and “just finish this one little thing” is always there. Even though I know I have to get up early for a meeting, I sometimes push the clock. And the clock pushes back. Hard!
I’m sure you’ve seen this in action yourself. When we don’t sleep well, or don’t get a chance to get enough rest, we end up grumpy and tense. Our stress levels go way up, which makes us feel worse. We might not get the work we had planned done, and we start to feel depressed. Which in turn leads to more sleepless nights. It’s a vicious cycle.
Everything changes for the better when we make sleep a priority. We wake up in a great mood, ready to tackle the day. It’s easier to get work and chores done and still have time to relax and unwind. That in turn leads to a better night’s sleep and an even better morning.
So how do we get to this state of sleep-full bliss and a solid 7 – 8 hours of rest at night? Make sleep a priority! I know, I know, there are times in our lives (like the arrival of a newborn, for example), when getting a good night’s sleep isn’t a possibility. But for most of us, working on a reasonable bedtime routine is not that hard.
Keyword here is routine. Good sleep is a habit and a learned behavior. It takes a little work on your part to change your habits and establish a good sleep and bedtime routine, but it will be well worth it. I promise.
Start by setting a regular bedtime and do your best to stick to it – even on the weekend and holidays. Our bodies get in a rhythm of walking and resting hours. Help your body get there by staying on schedule. Spend some time in the hours before bed to relax and calm down. Stop working, don’t exercise too late in the day, avoid caffeine a few hours before bed, and turn off screens at least an hour before you’re ready to fall asleep. Turning down the lights, playing soft music, and reading an old-fashioned paper book are all great ways to relax and prepare both body and mind for sleep. Taking a warm bath or shower can help as well.
If you’re still having a hard time going to sleep after implementing a routine, consider supplementing with magnesium and /or melatonin. Both are natural and not habit-forming. A lack of either one of those substances in your body can make it much harder to fall and stay asleep. Stick with your routine and you will get into a habit of getting plenty of sleep, leading to happier, more energetic and productive days.
About Karen