Sleep: The Silent Healer – Most everyone has heard that sleep is important, but do you really know all the reasons why? Do you know what specific areas of your being are affected by the amount of sleep you get?
The majority of people do not. Let’s look at the answer to this last question; “what areas of our being and our life are most affected by the amount of sleep we get.? “ The answer is ALL areas! Every single aspect of your being and your life is 100% affected by the amount of sleep you get.
Take a second to think about that. A rate as high as100% should perk up your interest. I’m going to target this topic of sleep from the 2 specific areas of my expertise. One is being a licensed clinical mental health therapist for over 30 years, and second, I am a nationally certified personal trainer and wellness coach. Having substantial experience and knowledge in both of these areas enables me to speak as an expert on this topic (which I frequently do at different venues.), all with the goal of getting this information out to as many people as possible so they can live better lives.
Since the length requirement of this article limits the amount of info to share, I have narrowed it down to 6 areas that all of us need to keep in mind when we think about the importance of sleep.
Sleep is critical. Here’s the tip of the iceberg as to why:
1. Restoration and Healing: During sleep, the body undergoes processes that repair tissues, restore energy, and support immune function. This is essential for overall physical health and recovery from daily wear and tear.
2. Cognitive Function: Sleep is vital for brain function. It helps consolidate memories, process information, and enhance learning. Lack of sleep can impair attention, decision-making, and reaction times.
3. Mental Health: Adequate sleep is linked to better mood regulation and emotional well-being. Chronic sleep deprivation is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
4. Physical Health: Poor sleep has been linked to an increased risk of various health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and compromised immune function.
5. Sleep helps regulate hormones that control appetite and metabolism. Performance and Productivity: Quality sleep is essential for optimal performance at work, school, and in daily activities. It improves concentration, problem-solving abilities, and productivity.
6. Overall Quality of Life: Getting enough restful sleep contributes to an overall higher quality of life. It allows us to function at our best, maintain relationships, and enjoy life to the fullest.
As you can see, good sleep is vital for every aspect of our physical, emotional and psychological health. That is everything!
The majority of Americans fall short on getting a substantial amount of sleep each night. If you’re one of these individuals, I want to include tried and true tips for how you can change this for the better.
Tip 1: RE-READ the above list
Simply put, if we don’t have a big enough WHY in our life to change (i.e., improve) something, we won’t take action to change it. So when you re-read the list, I encourage you to not just glance at it casually. When you read each paragraph, internally experience what the words are saying to you. And after each item, ask yourself, “Is this information something I value for myself?”
Tip 2: Decreasing your time on a computer or tv before bed
If you haven’t heard about the importance of decreasing your time on a computer or TV before bed, here’s a good one to know about. Our bodies wake up by a chemical release of serotonin in the mornings due to light, and we go to sleep by the chemical release of melatonin, which happens when it’s dark. The operative word here is “dark”. We need darkness for this chemical process to be initiated so that we get sleepy and fall asleep. So, if you are jazzing yourself up with a computer light or the backlight of a TV, it may not give you the best chance of feeling sleepy enough to actually fall asleep.
Tip 3: Have some peace and quiet before bed
Many of my clients have found that doing gentle stretches on a yoga mat, under dim light (perhaps candle light) is very effective for inducing sleepiness. Others like to add in listening to relaxing music or nature sounds during this time.
Tip 4 and 5 go together.
Tip 4: Is to go for a leisurely walk OUTSIDE an hour or 2 before bed. Breathing fresh air and releasing the energy of the day through movement is a wonderful prescription.
Tip 5: Get enough movement, and cardio exercise is THE most powerful of all. The number one way to be sleepy enough to fall asleep each night is to get enough movement and cardio exercise during the day. Our bodies were designed to move. We were designed to push, carry, bend, pull, lift, get up and down off the ground repeatedly during the day. I stand by the statement that if the human body is substantially exhausted with movement and exercise, it is impossible for it not to fall asleep.
In current times we have modernized our environments to such an extent that the majority of what we do each day is…SIT. We may walk to and from our cars or walk in the grocery store, but for the majority of the week, most of us sit. It’s no wonder insomnia has become an increasing problem. If you have trouble falling asleep, try ramping up your daily movement and exercise. It’s the number one most natural, holistic and free treatment for insomnia on the planet.
In summary, sleep is not merely a period of rest. It is a physiological process that is critical for both physical and mental health. Establishing good sleep habits has profound benefits for overall well-being and longevity. Therefore, prioritizing good sleep habits is definitely worth the effort.
- Connect with Virginia Oman:
- More articles from our VIP Executive Contributor, Virginia Oman.