Sleep & Rest

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Rest, relaxation and daily sleep all are integral to our health. We often place these at the bottom of our list, yet they are the single most important predictor of so many other successes and overall physical, and mental health. Sleep is a period of self-healing and restoration during which the body replaces important hormones and converts short-term memories to long-term memories. Getting enough quality sleep is essential for maintaining proper physical, mental and social health

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON’T GET SLEEP?

HOW MUCH SLEEP DO YOU NEED?

It varies from person to person and season to season. Quantity and quality also matter greatly and should be distinguished.On average anywhere from 6 to 9 hrs is needed in normal healthy adults. In Ayurveda, natural constitution and climate create variability in the range. Basically, how much sleep we need depends variables like sunlight, age and Ayurvedic constitution.

STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING SLEEP

  1. Set your sleep schedule
  2. Use light to manage the body’s clock.
  3. Bedroom used only for sleep.
  4. Reduce alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and heavy foods at night time.
  5. Exercise and move the physical body.
  6. Find a place to leave your stress.
  7. Bedtime Ritual Plans.
  8. Set technology boundaries.

Which of the above interest or call out to you?

REST

Rest is a fundamental part of our health and overall well-being. Our body needs to rest, requires rest and it should be as important as errands and working. Rest offers a brief cessation in activity. A necessary pause that allows our body and mind to heal and refresh. It is a vital aspect of good health. Rest allows our body to come back to homeostasis and refill our reserves. Ifour body doesn’t get to rest and is always asked to work and BE ON to PRODUCE, eventually you will BURN OUT. Carving out time for purposeful time-out, time-off is a good goal.

WHAT ARE RESTFUL STRATEGIES?

  1. Take a mindful relaxation break.
  2. Planned 5 deep breaths.
  3. Small gratitude moment.
  4. Nature pause.
  5. Pencil in the pause time if you have a stacked day.
  6. Quiet couch time.
  7. Add rest to your daily routine (just sit as you wait for your tea or coffee tobrew, pause)

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