Sleep is something that should come naturally, right?

The truth is, sleep is not something that just happens. Even babies need to learn to fall asleep and sleep well.

Why is good sleep important?

 A good, restful sleep is absolutely vital for our health.

Chronic sleep deprivation is something that has become so prevalent in our society. It has almost become a badge of honour to not sleep because we are so busy or stressed! This is something that needs to be changed because sleep deprivation can lead to many adverse health conditions, such as:

–          It increases the levels of the hunger hormone called ghrelin, which will increase food cravings.

–          It increases the levels of cortisol in our body, which can cause weight gain, diabetes, heart attacks, high blood pressure, depression, osteoporosis and depressed immunity

–          Causes elevated blood pressure in people with hypertension, which can lead to cardiovascular disease and stroke

Sleeping enough and improving the quality of sleep is not a luxury in life… it is a necessity. We need to make this a priority!

Tips for a better sleep:

1. Practice regular sleep rhythms and go to bed and wake up around the same time each day
2. Create total quiet and darkness in your bedroom
3. Avoid caffeine or reduce intake after noon
4. Get regular exposure to the sun for at least 20 mins a day. The sunlight and vitamin D triggers your brain to release melatonin which is important for a good sleep.
5. Don’t eat for 2 hours before you go to bed. Eating right before bed impedes your body’s natural detoxification process that occurs when you are sleeping.
6. Write down or journal your thoughts or stresses before sleep so you won’t be thinking about them all night
7. Take a hot salt bath before bed because it will slightly raise your body’s temperature and helps induce sleep
8. Experiment with the amount of sleep you need. Some people need more sleep, others need less. So, if you are waking up from a 7 hour sleep and still don’t have energy, try going to bed for 30 minutes earlier and notice how you feel.

By making good, restful sleep a priority in your life, you will feel more energized and motivated throughout the day! This will also spill over into other areas of your life such as work, social life, activities, relationships and food choices.

Sleep is the foundation of a healthy and happy life, so why not make it a priority?!