As a gal with a full-time job, blog, and a love of fitness and cooking, there’s a lot I try to fit in each day.
I wake up early to workout before work, go to work for anywhere between 8 and infinity hours, and come home to cook (sometimes I do all my cooking for the week on Sundays), blog, and hopefully spare an hour just to relax.
Don’t get me wrong; I like having my days filled up with things I love to do, but in order to have the energy to keep up with my lifestyle, I also need to be sure to do one more thing every single day: SLEEP!
I’m absolutely guilty of not getting enough sleep – but not for lack of trying! I head to bed around the same time each night with a plan of getting about 7 hours a night, but I’m just not a good sleeper. Most nights it takes me a while to unwind before I can actually fall asleep, and I almost always wake up at least once during the night.
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To some, this is no big deal. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they say. Well… I like sleep! For one, my pillow is simply amazing, but even more important:
“Research shows that all mammals need sleep, and that sleep regulates mood and is related to learning and memory functions. Not only will getting your zzzs help you perform on a test, learn a new skill or help you stay on task, but it may also be a critical factor in your health, weight and energy level.” – Source.
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If you exercise regularly and eat well, it can still be hard to stay in shape if you deprive yourself of sleep. Lack of sleep can also lead to having glucose and insulin levels characteristic of diabetes and can cause appetite to increase. Catching some quality zzz’s is also necessary to give the body and muscles enough time to rest and repair.
“Getting the proper amount of sleep each night is necessary to face the world with your best foot forward. Sleep will help you on the road to good fitness, good eating and good health.”
Herein lays my dilemma. I want more sleep, but I just can’t seem to get it. I sleep with earplugs in an attempt to minimize noise that might disrupt my sleeping zen. I try to lie in bed and shut off all thought. Sometimes I fall asleep within a few minutes, but I almost always wake up in the middle of the night and lay there for what seems like hours. I honestly couldn’t tell you when the last time I slept through the whole night was.
So, my question to all you fit and focused readers: How do you unwind at the end of a long day? Any tips for how I can get a better night’s sleep?
Although I usually sleep very well, I notice that the quality of my sleep is affected by my stress levels. Maybe try some meditation or yoga before bed. Or watch Tv/look at funny cat pics online. What ever makes you most relaxed to unwind.
Love the cat video idea! Those always make me laugh 🙂 I’ll definitely have to give that at try.
I have the same problem, and no solution as of yet! I just bought new pillows and I’m trying to stay off my phone once I get into bed (although failing miserably!) I also get up in the middle of the night usually at least once. I have a hard time falling asleep without the TV on, so I’m going to try to set the timer on the TV so that it doesn’t stay on all night. I’d love to hear what you find out!
Ahh yes – technology is a huge component. I don’t have a TV in my bedroom – try to keep the bed a place for sleep and relaxing, butttt the phone is still next to my bed. I put it on silent so that it doesn’t even vibrate. I think it’s stress keeping me up – maybe I need another vacation ;-P
I think we BOTH need a vacation! I slept with my sleep timer on my TV last night, and I slept better than I have in weeks! Stress is bothering me too. We’ve got this girl 🙂