Get a Little More Sleep in Your Life

Wow, I got home from work today - did homework with Brody, fed him dinner, read him a book, put Paw Patrol on ..... and fell asleep for 2 hours! My body was craving some much needed zzzzzz's.  Maybe it is the fact that my new workout has me so sore I have trouble getting comfy, maybe because I am studying a lot these days, or maybe it is because I have a hard time sleeping when Corey is gone, but whatever it is I have got to start trying harder to get in my 8 hours. I know I am not the only one. So today, a little branch off from fitness posting, to tell you why sleep is a major necessity!

First there is an increased risk For Depression And Anxiety: People who are consistently sleep deprived experience greater difficulty regulating their mood, increasing the risk for depression and anxiety. It’s not always clear what triggers what--in some cases insomnia is a symptom of depression, while in others, it is one of the contributing factors. What the research is clear about, however, is that chronic sleep deprivation significantly aggravates your ability to get and stay happy. Interestingly, even if you aren’t experiencing depression, researchers have found that the signs of being sleep deprived (such as a drawn face, colorless or dull skin, and under-eye bags) make you appear depressed to others. I know that is not the way I want to be perceived!

 I left my keys, where...?!?
Part of the process of making a memory last a lifetime happens when we are sleeping. If you aren’t getting in enough hours, your memory starts to suffer. But I don’t have to tell you that. You already know that when you have more hours awake than sleeping, you misplace your keys, forget to meet your friend for dinner, and wander around the grocery store aimlessly, unsure of what it was you thought you desperately needed.

 My skin could use a lift!
 In addition to feeling not-so-cute because of the under-eye bags, chronic sleep deprivation also manifests itself on your skin as acne, lines, and dullness. Not getting enough sleep interrupts your body’s regenerating abilities, resulting in less collagen production and compromising your skin’s elasticity. In other words, if you aren’t getting enough sleep, you might start looking your age (and then some) at an accelerated rate. Additionally, when your body’s ability to regenerate is interrupted, you can either develop or see a worsening of conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and any skin-related allergies.

 Say good-bye to a lot of hair :( 
I’m already dealing with hair loss due to my Type 1 Diabetes,  But having your hair fall out in chunks or thin suddenly also indicates bodily stress--and ongoing sleep deprivation is immensely taxing on your system.

You may wake up with a tummy-ache
 The number-one sign for me of a really poor night’s sleep is a huge, relentless stomach ache in the morning. Sleeping resets the gut, and without this break, your digestive system can end up seriously angry.

You may get to see your Dentist more regularly
 It turns out that part of nodding off gently for most of us involves some gnashing and clenching of our teeth. It’s only when we enter a REM cycle that our jaw relaxes and we cool it with the teeth grinding. But if you’re not staying asleep long enough to progress to REM, you are experiencing higher amounts of dental stress. Lack of sleep can be a contributing factor to your pearly whites degrading or your TMJ flaring up.

So, What Can You Do About It?
 Whether you’re an insomniac or life circumstances don’t permit you much time for rest, even the best sleep hygiene won’t always work. I’ve learned the best thing I can do is not stress over it. You will sleep eventually. In the meantime, rest when you can, drink lots of water, do some yoga or Pilates, and some deep breathing techniques.

 Good luck and goodnight!

 www.beachbodycoach.com/leannemarie1081