Why Do I Need Rest?

Boy, Did I Need a Day Off

Here it is 7-something PM, and I am just now posting.  Well, I apologize for the delay, but honestly, I’m glad that 1) my Internet modem was down; 2) my laptop needs a new mother board; and 3) my husband took his laptop to work for a Power Point presentation; without those tools, there is no blogging.  You see, though my web world came to a screeching halt, I got to spend a wonderful day of rest with my Missy Moo (the toddler girl) playing, eating, walking, and slumbering; which brings me to the topic of this post…rest and sleep.

Factually, I am not very good at resting…or sleeping, for that matter.  I think my active mind has a looping mantra that plays 24/7.  It says, “You will miss something if you sleep, nap, or just close your eyes for ten seconds.”  It’s a constant battle.  And the bad thing, I know how important sleep is to our bodies and our minds.

Stress and Sleep

Have you ever wondered why you have trouble sleeping when you’re stressed or overwhelmed?  For one thing, your mind and emotions sort of call the shots when it comes to deciding what is important enough to lose sleep over.  It can even be sub-conscious.  When we are bogged down by endless “must dos”, we leave little room for shut down mode; the result is insomnia or the inability to fall asleep.  It’s no wonder that millions of women all over the world turn to sleep aids for a good night’s rest.

Beauty Sleep

Likely every woman out there has either heard or said the words “I need to get my beauty sleep.”  As cliche as it is; it’s VERY true!  Without proper sleep and rest periods (mental and physical breaks) our bodies begin to break down at a much faster rate.  Organs, cells, muscles, and your brain cells get overwhelmed when they cannot rest regularly.  When you have half of your body’s necessary parts fighting for energy, what do you think happens to the not-so-important parts like your hair, nails, skin, and eyes?  That’s right; they suffer…immensely.

Another Challenge

What I realized today was that I needed to slow down and do something different.  I’ve been on auto-pilot for weeks now.  Giving myself the ability to say “no” to the usual grind gave me a different perspective on just how busy I’ve become.  As a part of my 90 Day Health Challenge, I am going to focus on getting more quality sleep and down time.  Here are some things that help me:

1.  Melatonin – Time Released (3mg) – This supplement is all-natural and is something that your body already produces.  Try taking 3 mg. 30 minutes before your bedtime.  It is said to help reboot your sleep cycles so you can again fall asleep normally.  Give it a try if you suffer from mild sleep problems.

2.  Deep-Breathing – Just 10 minutes of this healthy practice right before bed can alleviate some of the day’s stress and toxic overload.

3.  Prayer and Meditation – When you intentionally focus on spiritual things, you temporarily push aside the body and mind – the culprits behind insomnia.  Make a peaceful transition to sleep by being thankful and focusing on spiritual growth.

4.  Music – If you love music, why not choose a blissful CD to listen to as you fall asleep.  No hard rock here; instead put on a soothing jazz piece or an instrumental that makes you happy…and sleepy.

5.  Let It Go –  Make sure to process all of your fears and irritations before hitting the sack.  In other words, don’t go to bed angry and with unresolved issues.  Do what you can to put your mind and emotions at ease by journaling or making a list of what you intend to accomplish the next day.  If something is really bothering you, try talking about it to a friend or family member.

There are many ways to combat insomnia and unrest on your own; however, you might consider consulting your health care provider if your symptoms are serious or persistent.  I have nothing against sleep aids; I just think it’s worth exploring other options before diving into the land of Ambien or Trazodone. Please tell us your best “fall asleep” tips.  Be well.

***The content of this post is not intented to replace professional advice from your health care provider.  Women’s Life Link, it’s authors, associates, commentators, or linked sites do not claim that any information will diagnose, treat, improve, or cure any disease or condition.

***I do use the Melatonin product recommended in this post.  If you choose to purchase this product via the link provided, I will receive a small revenue.  Thank you.

Photo by LoganX78