We all know sleep is important, yet too often it’s something we neglect. Sleep isn’t something any of us can afford to sacrifice. You’ve seen the posts I’ve written about the S+ Sleep tracker and how it’s changed the way I view sleep. The truth is the amount of sleep we get affects every aspect of our lives, from our happiness to our careers. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to lead by example. How can you expect your children to develop healthy sleeping habits when you don’t have them yourself? Not to mention that you won’t be able to look after your kids so well if you’re tired. If you don’t think you get enough sleep, here’s a look at why it’s important, and how to achieve a peaceful night! WHY DO WE NEED TO SLEEP? Being well rested gives you more energy, quicker reaction times, and a better mood in general. Not getting enough sleep leaves you exhausted, which opens you up to all kinds of illnesses. Your body won’t be able to fight off any nasty diseases if it’s putting all its energy into staying awake. Studies have shown that a lack of sleep can also lead to problems such as heart attacks and diabetes. That’s not to mention the mental problems a lack of sleep can cause. Running yourself into the ground is sure to have an adverse effect on your happiness levels. Your appearance will benefit from the right amount of sleep too. Fed up of having bags under your eyes? Sleeping more is the answer. Resting well will leave you bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Find out how much sleep you should get, and take steps towards achieving it. On average, the recommended amount is 7-9 hours. SPOT THE PROBLEMS To get to grips with your sleeping problems, work out what’s causing them in the first place. If you don’t allow yourself to go to bed because you have too much to do, stop it! Working when you’re tired has an adverse impact on your productivity anyway. You’re not doing yourself any favors. If you allow yourself to go to bed at a reasonable time and can’t get to sleep, there may be something more serious at play. If you’re exhausted but sleep won’t come, it’s possible you’re suffering from insomnia. This horrible and debilitating affliction makes getting to sleep impossible night after night. It may be worth visiting a doctor. Or, maybe there’s another reason for your lack of sleep. Is something disturbing you during the night? Work out the cause so you can solve the problem. GET A GOOD MATTRESS The quality of your mattress is bound to affect how well you sleep. If you have a lumpy, old mattress, you’re not going to sleep well. Not to mention that you’ll wake up feeling terrible! If you think this might be the problem, don’t hesitate to invest in a mattress. This isn’t something you want to cut costs on. Take a look at mattresses available, and decide which one would best suit your needs. There are all types of mattresses on the market. There are even mattresses that mold to your body. You’ll also have to choose between soft and firm options. Visiting a bed shop will allow your to test the different options. If you’re unsure what you need, don’t hesitate to go and try a few out. It may also be worth taking note of where you struggle with your current mattress. Why isn’t it right? Where do you experience the most stiffness when you wake up in the morning? Diagnosing what’s not working will help you find what does. Once you find the right choice, buy your new mattress and say hello to peaceful nights! GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO UNWIND Do you find the problem is getting to sleep? Not being able to get to sleep is never a pleasant feeling. Tossing and turning can be frustrating, especially if you’ve got to be up early in the morning. If this is you, there are things you can do to help. Giving yourself time to unwind before bed is key to getting to sleep the moment your head hits the pillow. It’s proven that looking at computer screens, or our phones can stop us getting to sleep. Put your gadgets away at least half an hour before you go to bed. Let your thoughts slow down. It can be helpful to get into bed with a book and read for a while before you go to sleep. That way, you take your mind off any worries before they have the chance to keep you awake!]]>
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