Welcome to March! Wow, I can’t believe I’m saying that already! Where have the past 2 months gone?!
Since March is National Sleep Awareness Month, I wanted to designate a lot of this month’s Reviews and Articles to sleep, or lack there of. [If you’re a parent, you definitely know what I’m referring to here!). I also want to show you how we can all get more shut-eye and up our energy levels, and then hopefully be more productive and efficient. At least that’s what I’m going for J.
So what exactly is National Sleep Awareness Month? The aim of Better Sleep Month (as it is also known) is to encourage people to establish better sleeping patterns. One part of sleep awareness is knowing how our sleep may be affected by changes in the environment. It’s also knowing how much your body needs.
While not being an exact science, most experts agree that the average person needs between 7.5 and 8.5 hours of sleep a night. However, better sleep doesn’t just refer to the length of time we sleep. It’s also about the quality of sleep we are getting. Six hours of deep refreshing sleep is much more beneficial than 8 hours of light, interrupted sleep (thanks kids J).
As you could probably guess, refreshing sleep is of huge importance when staying healthy. Better Sleep Month is supported by the Better Sleep Council (BSC), which aims to raise awareness about the benefits of better sleep and how poor sleep can disrupt our lives.
And I couldn’t agree more! You all know that I view sleep as one of the main components of healthy living, function, and even weight loss, and is why I’ve already written several articles about this topic. My first one was about the 8 Reasons You Need to Get More Sleep; and then I followed that up with 5 Ways to Improve Your Sleep – because what good is knowing that you need to sleep more if you can’t physically “make” your body do it?!
For a quick run-down: inadequate sleep can not only lead to such things as increased blood pressure and stress hormone production, but also reduced concentration, mood swings, and a weakened immune system. In extreme cases, it can even bring on paranoia and a higher risk factor for heart disease, stroke, etc. – so don’t take your sleep lightly! Literally!
Getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do, so make yourself a priority and both your body – and those around you – will thank you! Because it’s those small steps that make healthy living a lifestyle, so why not take one tonight?!
Thanks again for following along with our previous Newsletter series: Healthy Habits to Help Make 2018 Your Healthiest Year Yet! And if you missed any of those Tips, CONTACT US for the Newsletter or check out the articles on our BLOG.
For more information on Better Sleep Month, visit the Better Sleep Council Website.
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FUN FACT:
Did you know that gender can also play a role in sleep disturbance? Michael Breus, Ph.D author of ‘Beauty Sleep: Look Younger, Lose Weight, and Feel Great Through Better Sleep’, believes that women are generally more sleep deprived than man. No sh$* Sherlock! Hahahaha. I know I’m not the only woman who wakes up at the slightest whimper and my husband can sleep through a screaming baby laying in the same bed!
