Ten reasons to love sleep

Ten reasons to love sleep

 

 

As February is Valentine’s month, I wanted to give you ten reasons to love sleep. This month is a great time to strengthen your relationship with this wonderful thing called sleep – for once you’re sleeping well it’s easier to see everything through rose-tinted glasses.

So here they are, in no particular order, ten reasons to love sleep:

 

 

Reason 1: Anyone can do it

Anyone can sleep, it’s a biological necessity and even if you don’t willing do it, your body will make you sleep at some point. Sleep is also something we can teach ourselves and our children to do well. It’s a natural biological function, and the better we can sleep (that’s quality and quantity), the better our life becomes…

 

Reason 2: It makes you look good

There’s a reason it’s called beauty sleep, it could be the closest thing to the fountain of youth we know of. No joke. Sleep has a long list of benefits for your looks. To start with, it gives you a better complexion. This is due to increased blood flow to your skin during sleep. What’s more, sleeping well means fewer wrinkles, fuller hair and brighter eyes! Yes please.

If you skimp on your sleep, you’re much more likely to look ashen, drab and lifeless. Ugg.

 

Reason 3: It makes you feel good 

It’s no secret that not getting enough sleep contributes to a negative mood. If you’re sleep deprived, you’re more likely to be sad, irritable, frustrated, stressed out and fatigued. So, it should come as no surprise that getting plenty of good-quality sleep can contribute to a happier and more positive mood.

Research has regularly found that mood improves when participants started getting more sleep after being sleep deprived. Even if that deprivation was just a little. And feeling refreshed gives you more energy to start your day on the right foot. That’s got to feel good.

 

Reason 4: It strengthens relationships

Starting your day feeling refreshed after a good sleep gives you more energy and gratitude, not to mention you’re much more pleasant to others around you. Feeling good improves how you interact with other people; you’re more likely to be open, confident and friendly.

And that can do wonders for all your relationships, from your significant other, your children, your workmates and more…

Have you felt too tired for sex lately? Getting more sleep can also help you get back into the mood. Just saying.

 

Reason 5: It benefits your physical health

I’d even go out on a limb and say it’s one of the BEST things you can do to improve your physical health. During sleep your body repairs itself and recovers from any stressors from the day, and that leads to a long list of benefits. Sleep boosts your immune system, increases cellular repair of injuries and helps to keep your hormones in balance. From heart health to regulating insulin in diabetes, sleep has benefits.

Basically, getting the sleep you need every night is as important to your health as remaining active and eating a healthy diet.

 

Reason 6: Sleep helps athletes perform at the top of their game

Most athletes these days know that good nutrition and physical conditioning are a must in reaching peak athletic performance; however, sleep is just as important. In recent years, it’s clear that the quality and quantity of sleep obtained by elite athletes can be the difference between winning and losing the game.

Sleep improves reaction times and accuracy, reduces injury rates and results in fewer mental errors, all important to the elite sportsman or woman. And if it does all this for athletes, think how well it helps you perform at work and when dealing with the kids.

 

Reason 7: It helps you maintain your weight

While lack of sleep can see you piling on the kilos, unfortunately, more sleep won’t necessarily see the kilos come off on their own. I know, stink right. But sleep WILL help you keep your weight under control by regulating the hormones that affect your appetite.  You’ll be better able to gauge the signals of feeling full to stop eating, and also reduce your cravings for high calorie foods. Not to mention more energy to start moving more…. And THEN you’ll see the kilos shift.

 

Reason 8: Sleep can make you smarter

A good night’s sleep is essential for learning new things and for remembering them later. Indeed, sleep has been shown to make your brain more effective and productive (hence smarter), whether it be after a great night’s sleep or even after a quick daytime nap. During sleep there’s much more going on than resting. You may well feel sharper, more attentive and focused throughout the day too. Awesome.

 

Reason 9: You can dress it up or down

Whether you’d prefer to sleep in a lavish hotel (or bedroom) with lots of pillows and duck-down duvet inners, or you prefer a humble mattress on the floor, or even a pillow or blanket on the couch. There’s a sleep option for everyone. And don’t get me started on sleep wear. While comfy is a must, you can choose anything from silk PJs to well, literally, nothing…

 

Reason 10 it helps your pain tolerance

If you have an injury, say a broken bone, lots of sleep will help it hurt less. A number of studies have linked sleep loss to lower pain thresholds. The more sleep, the better the pain tolerance. It’s also noted that children who sleep well generally experience less teething pain than those who don’t sleep well.

 

Quite simply, if you’re looking for a panacea to cure most of the modern-worlds ills (#firstworldproblems), look no further than sleep. And what’s more, you can do it every day, at home, often for free!

There you have ten reasons to love sleep, but that’s really just the tip of the iceberg.

 

The gift of sleep makes an awesome Valentines Day present for the one you love, contact me to get the ball rolling or for a gift voucher. Of course it’s also great for Birthdays, Baby Shower presents, new parents, Easter, Christmas… and just because!! I can give you a personalised sleep plan and customised support for you to get the sleep you crave.

So, if this post has started making you feel a bit uncomfortable, maybe you or your children are struggling a bit with sleep, don’t feel bad, society is a little behind the times when it comes to recognising the importance of sleep – just act to correct any sleep issues and you’ll be away laughing. I’d love to help you.

When you’re ready to an make an investment in your health, wealth, sports performance, relationships and mood by improving sleep, contact me. Book in a free initial call to learn more. I offer personalised sleep plans and sleep support for all ages (not everything is on my website yet)!  Or sign up to my monthly newsletter for child tips, blogs and giveaways. And don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Instagram. Because everyone should love sleep and be able to do it well.