Like most, I value my health above all else. I know that good health means I feel good and as a result look just as good.
I work hard to maintain my health and do what I can to promote a healthy lifestyle. This means I eat nutritious foods, drink plenty of water, and work out regularly(ish).
Diet and exercise play such a huge part in staying healthy. But they don’t work on their own. I place a major emphasis on sleep and below are a few reasons why:
Sleep allows the body to rest. Cells renew, muscles repair, and the everyday natural processes can get to work. But sleep is also incredibly important for good emotional and mental health.
Without enough sleep, we get cranky, lose focus and concentration. After just one sleepless night, you could even be a danger to others on the road if you drive should your reflexes be somewhat impaired.
There are a great many differing opinions on how much sleep we should be getting each night Many of us believe that somewhere between seven and eight hours is a good amount of sleep to have.
But not allow us can spare that amount of time with our mattresses! With busy careers, relationships and families to consider, it’s rare that we get the allotted amount of sleep every night of the week.
Quality is more important the quantity when it comes to sleep. You may be lucky enough to get ten hours in bed. But if your sleep is interrupted, it can be very harmful to your health.
There are lots of reasons your sleep may be interrupted. You might be stressed and find it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. There may be children in the house that get up in the night. Perhaps you are in pain and just can’t get comfortable.
There are lots of things you can do to ensure a high-quality night of sleep. It all starts in the bedroom. The bedroom should be free of distractions like mirrors, lights, TVs or iPads.
Use blackout blinds to ensure there are no street or car lights getting into the room. The bedroom should also be quiet. Once you have aired the room, shut the window to block out the sound.
Keep the temperature down to about 19 degrees Celsius. A cooler room aids better sleep. And who doesn’t love snuggling down under the covers!
Your bed is very important to your comfort as you sleep. Pick a high-quality bed that is big enough for you and your sleeping partner.
Something like the John Ryan By Design King size mattresses should be the right size so that you can stretch out and feel comfortable all night long. You should pick a mattress that supports you and helps to regulate your temperatures too.
The decor in your bedroom can also help you drop off to sleep quickly. Choose calming colors like pastel blues. Keep the decor simple to avoid busy patterns. It’s also important to keep the room tidy and clutter free so you can rest and relax more easily.
Make sure everything in there can be put away out of sight. Choose lighting that is soft and not too bright. Warm color bulbs are best.
Your bedtime routine should be the same every night. This helps your mind and body prepare for sleep more easily. Start with a wind-down. This may be a warm bath with a novel, or a cup of warm milk.
As your body cools from the heat, it will make you feel more sleepy. This is the time to hop into your pajamas. Cleanse and moisturize your face, brush your hair and teeth, and then pop into bed. It is a simple routine that can be done anywhere, any night of the week. It’s best to have a set bedtime if you can.
Shift work makes it very hard for your body and mind to make the most of sleep. Some studies have shown that sleeping longer on your off days may not be making up for lost sleep during the working week. Instead, try to avoid shift work where possible.
When you are on a peculiar working pattern, drinking plenty of water can help in the same way it helps with jet lag. Meals can also be manipulated to help improve your ability to sleep when it’s time too.
If you are finding you’re becoming a little forgetful, try to put some extra effort into your bedtime routine.
Sleep is when all your memories of the day are filed away. If you’re not sleeping well, the chances are that memories can become muddled or even forgotten for a time. Sleep is so important. Have a great night of sleep tonight!
