The Energized Woman

When was the last time you got a really sound, full night’s sleep?  Just last night, you say?  That’s great, and if that is the case for you on a regular basis, keep doing whatever you’re doing! Unfortunately, if you’re like most women, quality sleep is often elusive.

At times I myself still feel like I’m trying to catch up on all the sleep I missed out on when I had newborns to attend to.  My kids are a bit older now, and fortunately they’re both great sleepers.  When I look back, I just marvel at how I was able to make it through those challenging times.  And you know, although I did make it through because here I am, that lack of sleep back then really took its toll on me physically, mentally, and emotionally.  That’s when I first began to realize that the importance of sleep cannot be over-estimated.

So many of us seem to perceive sleep as a luxury.  Almost like it’s something that you try to fit in when you can.  Although we can recover pretty quickly from an occasional poor night’s sleep, an ongoing sleep deficit can have harsh consequence both in the short-term as well as the long-term.  Experts agree that most people need at least 7-9 hours of sleep on a regular basis in order to function their best.

If you frequently struggle to get a good night’s sleep, I encourage you to experiment with some of the tips that I’ll be sharing throughout this week. 

Today’s tips focus on preparing your body for sleep before you even get into bed.  If you’re not already doing the following, give them a try to see if, over time, you notice a difference in the quality of your sleep.

1.  Give yourself the gift of “unplugging” at least 2-3 hours before bedtime (computer, emails, cell phone, etc.).

2.  Reduce the digestive impact on your body by having a lighter dinner and not eating too close to bedtime.

3.  Reduce caffeine, especially after 3:00 in the afternoon.

4.  Avoid being active right up until bedtime.  Resist the urge to get “one more thing” done; instead, take some time to relax, whatever relaxation looks like for you.

Getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis is another way of taking care of yourself.  When your body has the opportunity to rest and repair overnight, you will start to feel a difference in your energy level and how you operate throughout the day.