Pro-Aging Tip #2: Quality Sleep Matters
The Wellness Game-Changer You’re Overlooking: Sleep
I know! I know! This may SOUND blatantly OBVIOUS or beyond FRUSTRATING to YOU. Possibly BOTH.
PLEASE hear me out, though, because THIS is my PRO-AGING TIP #2, as promised, and it IMPACTS your WELLNESS at any age but ESPECIALLY in 40’s, 50’s and beyond.
We were created to REST, REPAIR, HEAL, and RESTORE in this sacred place of SLUMBER.
It’s an essential piece in functioning as designed. In fact, it is just as crucial as the need for food and water.
Most adults NEED between 7-9 hours of RESTFUL SLEEP to function properly.
Restful sleep improves our brain function by preparing the brain to learn, remember and create.
Ever experienced that groggy, I can’t remember anything, brain fog type feeling? Well, that could, in part, be from a lack of restful sleep.
I can tell you that over the holiday break, my sleep has taken a backseat, and I can definitely feel it. I know from experience how it can impact my wellness on every level.
There are 4 phases of sleep:
AWAKE
LIGHT SLEEP
DEEP SLEEP
REM SLEEP
In relation to your overall wellness, it’s very important for you to pass through each phase, minus interruptions, which can lead to fatigue and health issues. The deep sleep phase typically comes within an hour of falling asleep and the majority of this takes place earlier in the night.
On the evenings you go to bed much later, you run the risk of missing out on this crucial restorative phase.
It is in the deep sleep phase that the blood flow increases to the muscles, growth hormone is released and tissue growth and cell repair occurs.
This is also where the brain flushes out waste that has built up throughout the day.
Our brain has a drainage system that removes toxins during our sleep, acting in the same way a kidney does to remove waste.
Sleep impacts every type of tissue and system in the body, including our brain, heart, lungs, metabolism, immune function, mood, hormones and disease resistance.Being deprived of restful sleep can increase the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, strokes, depression, weight gain, hormonal imbalances and even some cancers.
Ever felt FAMISHED after a night of staying up too late? It’s due to GRHELIN, a hunger hormone, being activated. This leads to excessive calories throughout the day and weight gain.
ALL THIS from LACK of QUALITY SLEEP .
QUALITY SLEEP is IMPERATIVE to our WHOLE BEING.
YOU can practice all the behavior modifications available, up level your nutrition, and still suffer because your body is not getting the proper type and amount of sleep necessary for you to
THRIVE.
If you struggle in this area, answer this question: What micro-movement can you take this evening to create a pathway to restful sleep?
TRUST YOUR INTUITIVE SELF and put into ACTION one small practice that you believe could help you find RESTFUL SLEEP this evening.
Achieving QUALITY SLEEP for YOU may take time and practice.
There are DISCOVERIES to be made AND REMEDIES to test so YOU CAN get the QUALITY SLEEP YOU NEED and FEEL YOUR ABSOLUTE BEST as you AGE.
YOU must INVESTIGATE the reasons WHY you may be STRUGGLING in the SLEEP DEPARTMENT. Stress? Hormones? Too much screen time? Less than optimal nutrition?
Your BODY is the LAB. DO NOT GIVE UP.
Sending you ALL LOVE and LIGHT.
And if you need GUIDANCE on your WELLNESS JOURNEY, I am here to help you. Let’s create a wellness routine tailored just for you. DM me or visit www.michellegiganti.com to learn more about faith-based wellness coaching.
