Articles

Importance of Sleep

Sleep is as important to our health as eating, drinking and breathing. It allows our bodies to repair themselves and our brains to consolidate our memories and process information. Poor sleep is linked to physical problems such as a weakened immune system and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

Noticeable signs of sleep deprivation include:

• excessive sleepiness
• frequent yawning
• irritability
• daytime fatigue
• low energy
• difficulty concentrating
• a general inability to function as usual

The Benefits of Getting a Full Night’s Sleep

• Sleep Can Boost Your Immune System 
• Gaining ZZ’s Can Help Prevent Weight Gain
• Sleep Can Strengthen Your Heart 
• Sleeping Can Increase Productivity 
• Sleep Can Increase Exercise Performance 
• Sleep Improves Memory
• Reduce stress and improve your mood

Sleep is a vital, often neglected, component of every person’s overall health and well-being. Most adults require between seven and nine hours per night. Children and teenagers need substantially more. There are a lot of factors that prevent us from getting adequate sleep. Stress and sleep are closely linked. Stress can adversely affect sleep quality and duration, while insufficient sleep can increase stress levels. 

Better sleeping tips

You can take steps to improve your sleep. They include:

• keeping active
• avoiding stimulants
• keeping to a routine
• avoiding naps
• relaxing your body and mind

Be good to yourself and at least one night a week have a de-stressing ritual before bedtime to help induce a good night sleep. Take a bath, read a book, listen to a meditation, watch a movie or just spend time alone and in silence and calm the mind. 

Self-care

Self-care has never been more important

As we enter the second year of living with Covid-19 we are still adjusting to what is been labeled “the new norm”. Working from home, managing childcare and home schooling, worrying about older family members and parents and wondering what is coming next. How can we care for ourselves during this stressful time when we are so caught up in worries, stress and a lot of us are on the brink of burnout? We hear the words Selfcare a lot these days but put simply it means that we are just been mindful of our own needs, so we are better able to support the people we care about. When we take care of ourselves and are not stressed or at least less stressed we are better able to meet the needs of others. 

Selfcare is taking care of our body, mind and spirit in a way that activates our best self. Selfcare choices are those that improve our physical, mental, and emotional health. We cannot help others if we do not genuinely make the time to help ourselves first. 

For me Selfcare is consistent habits that help me keep balanced, it is the simple things done consistently, like going for a walk, getting quality sleep, making time in the day for relaxation which most days is just 10 minutes with a cup of tea in a quiet corner of the house, having a chat with that one person who energises me, anything really that supports my mental and physical health is Self-care. 

Self-care will be different for everyone, but the important thing is to practice it in whatever form it will take. Be kind to yourself, practice self-compassion, cultivate the art of self-love.

Start with the simple things and do them consistently. Give yourself permission to make yourself a priority.

“To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.”
– Oscar Wilde