MIND-BODY CONNECTION

It is vitally important to have a holistic approach to your mental, physical, and spiritual health. Let’s start with your temple. First, ask yourself, “What is my body telling me?”
In addition to maybe needing more exercise or better nutrition, the message may be that you need more sleep.

Over time, insufficient quality sleep can increase your risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart disease, and stroke. Both quantity and quality are essential here. The number of hours of sleep needed per night will vary with each individual. For the average adult, the National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours per night.

TIPS FOR IMPROVED QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF SLEEP

1. Go to bed at the same time every night. Whatever you are musing over that you think needs to get done after your long day at work can probably wait. Delegate tasks that your children need to master as they get older and ask your spouse for help. Inform your family of how important sleep is to your health so that you set a boundary. Your example (and rules for the very young) will shape everyone’s mindset of making sleep a priority.

2. Reduce your caffeine intake. Try not to consume any caffeinated beverages after 5 p.m. Consuming too much caffeine can make treating underlying health conditions such as hypertension a challenge.

3. Speak with your primary care physician. There could be an underlying condition impacting your sleep health. One example is sleep apnea. This diagnosis would require a breathing device that you wear when sleeping. Certain situations like grieving can hamper getting quality sleep. With such a scenario, your doctor may have you use a sleep aid for a short period.

4. Keep your bedroom dark and turn off your electronics. Your bedroom should never be an extension of your office. If you have a spouse, you will have to communicate (key to a successful marriage) on how his sleep habits may impact yours and make necessary adjustments.

5. Reduce unhealthy stress. When you are feeling stressed out, it is hard to get restorative sleep, which is vital to your brain health and functioning of your body. Practicing deep breathing and mediation can help set the stage for you to transition into a restful sleep at night.

6. Set the right temperature. Your body temperature naturally falls during the night. The general recommendation is that you keep your bedroom around 65 degrees. If you choose to sleep in pajamas, pick the right material that is comfortable for you and which does not cause you to become overheated.

7. Try not to fixate on your challenges. Seek solutions through prayer for discernment and seek wise counsel. Consciously and verbally release any angst that you have over the situation every night before you go to bed.

As a woman of faith, I look to God to help me release, receive revelation, and get the restful sleep that I need.

Sound judgment and discernment will give you “sweet” sleep (Proverbs 3:21-24).

Until next time