Point to Ponder:
Do you get 7-9 hours of sleep each night?
There was a time when I was ridiculously sleep deprived. For as long as I can remember I’ve burned the candle at both ends, which is a genetic trait from both my mom and grandmother. We are notorious for going 90 miles a minute until we crash and burn. Sadly, my grandmother, who was an enthusiastic angel on earth, suffered from diabetes and developed stomach cancer. As a result, she passed away in her late sixties. I can’t help but conclude that sleep deprivation contributed to her diseases and early death; and as much as I do want to follow in many of her beautiful footsteps, sleep deprivation is not one of them, as it leads to many preventable health risks.
When I look back at the many times I consistently did not get enough sleep I was irritable, impatient, and gravitate towards sweets and carbohydrates. It’s an unhealthy cycle with adverse results and I feel confident that most of us suffer or suffered rom sleep deprivation.
We live in a tremendously fast paced, over achieving, and stimulating society which makes guilt-free, satisfying and REM sleep very difficult, however getting 7-9 hours of sleep is critical to having optimal body, mine and spirit and is something we must all strive for getting.
According to the Cooper Clinic and Web, MD. check out the terrible result of sleep deprivation as well as the tremendous benefits of sleep:
Results of Sleep Deprivation
Weekended Immune System
The less sleep you get, the weaker your immune system is, leaving it less able to fight off colds, flu, and other infections.Increased risk of heart disease
When you don’t get enough sleep, you have an inflammatory response in your cardiovascular system — in the blood vessels and arteries.Increased risk of Diabetes
When you’re sleep deprived, your body almost immediately develops conditions that resemble the insulin resistance of diabetes.Poor mental health and brain function
Studies have found that people who aren’t getting enough sleep drive just as unsafely as someone who’s drunk. The memory is also slightly degraded when you’re sleep deprived, and gets worse the more deprivation you have.Increased risk of obesity
People who slept five hours per night were 73% more likely to become obese than those getting seven to nine nightly hours of sleep. One study found that lack of sleep was a bigger contributor to childhood obesity than any other factor.
The Link Between Sleep and Your Appearance
Growth hormones peak during deep sleep and contribute to cell and tissue repair. Restless, intermittent sleep can interrupt that process.
Collagen 1 production is accelerated during sleep, and collagen helps keep moisture in our skin. When your skin is dehydrated, it looks less youthful and supple, more dull and dry.
Our deepest stage of sleep, known as delta sleep, is the time when the body’s growth hormones kick-start the repair of cells and tissues.
Suppressing the immune system doesn’t just mean you’re more likely to catch a cold. Your skin is affected too, and you may be more likely to get rashes like psoriasis.
Tips from the National Sleep Foundation: How to get 7 to 8 Hours of sleep per night.
Establish consistent sleep and wake schedules, even on weekends
Create a regular, relaxing bedtime routine such as soaking in a hot bath or listening to soothing music – begin an hour or more before the time you expect to fall asleep.
Exercise regularly during the day or at least a few hours before bedtime
Finish eating at least 2-3 hours before your regular bedtime
Avoid caffeine and alcohol products close to bedtime and give up smoking
Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool
Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows
Use your bedroom only for sleep and “extracurricular activities” (keep “sleep stealers” out of the bedroom – avoid watching TV, using a computer or reading in bed)
Just think, if we can adopt some of the above-mentioned sleep tips and combine them with seven hours of sleep per night, regular exercise AND a healthy diet….its possible that we will have found the fountain of youth, live an incredibly enthusiastic long life and won’t have to deal with sleep tactics such as the one shown in this weeks video below. Here’s to a restful and wonderful week!
Action Item:
Make an effort to treat yourself to at least seven hours of sleep each night, while using the sleep tips below. At the end of the week note the terrific results?
A