Sleep

Sleep, and what to do about getting better at it.

You know that feeling your trying to fall asleep at night, and your mind just goes on and on, you going over the day, what worries you’ve got, what you should be doing bla bla bla the list just goes on and on—when all you want to do is just go to F***ING sleep.

If you have problems sleeping whether it’s quality or quantity, not having the right stuff of it, is going to make you miserable, moody and unhealthy. YOU are going to be a right pain in the arse to live with, and we don’t want that for anyone do we... hmmmm?

Does this all sound SO familiar…

Then read on my friends...

Lets face it life is busy busy, whether your working in the ‘System,’ or you're the stay at home type, but when on your phone checking in, checking out, with all the stuff you want to see, do, and learn. Your mind is totally on the go, being stimulated to the max!

So when it comes to getting some shut eye, you're no doubt lying in bed taking one last look of your beloved phone (some people actually sleep with their phone in their bed WTF!! that is some serious intimacy issues right there!) before it conveniently powers off, BUT unlike you, there is no immediate off switch.

Here lays the problem, and here is the solution TURN OFF YOUR PHONE. YES JUST TURN THE DAMN THING OFF! That little device with it’s evil blue light, that totally wants to fuck with your melatonin (the drug secreted in our hypothalamus) production. TURN IT OFF at least a couple of hours before, for the most adequate sleep.

Far more uninteresting (GOT being an exception to the rule) is sitting in front of the TV watching some ‘shit show’ late at night. Your brain will be worn out with under stimulation, and you may find you are unable to sleep later, as you’ll be restless... whilst on the subject of TV, don't have one in your bedroom. Your bedroom is for S&S yes Sleep and Sex, IT IS NOT FOR WATCHING TV IN! But I hear some of you whining ‘but I can’t sleep without the TV on’ utter BS, it’s just a habit is all (it takes 21 days to create a habit, including undoing one) it probably stems from the days when you were a teenager living at home, and TV in the bedroom was a great escapism from the crap your parents watched on TV, or for just being in a room with them. But now you are an adult so either get rid, put it in another room, or turn the thing off. It WILL affect your sleep quality.

Next up, make sure you get enough daylight, natural light hours, that means getting your butt outside, and going for a walk in NATURE. We have this internal 24hr clock called the circadian rhythm, it cycles between sleepiness and alertness, it initiates and maintains sleep. So the amount of natural light you get during the day will affect the quality of sleep you have that evening. GET ACTIVE. I'm not saying go to 'powerful' before bed, though as you'll be buzzing not zzzing!

Do you know that not having enough sleep could also be making you fat! It has something to do with the hormone leptin (the fat burner). So inadequate sleep will reduce the amount of leptin that is produced. That leads me on further to what you are putting in your body, food wise. PROCESSED FOOD IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU, FULL STOP. Instead wholesome mainly plant based food is your friend here. Alcohol just before bed is not a good idea either, initially you may pass out, but it's very likely you'll be awake a short time after as yes it is a stimulant, even that glass of red wine. So nothing at least two hours before bed, and that's just if you've had the one.

To make sure you are getting the best night sleep that your body deserves, these are some of the ways that help get those well needed zzz’s.

Z.1.A Beautiful Relaxing Bath—

the type that totally zones you out, the one that chills that nervous system right out— I'm talking candles, low music, essential oils ones like lavender/ chamomile/ Jasmine, Epsom/dead sea salts.

Z.2.Herbal Tea—

another way to get into a relaxed state of mind is to drink herbal tea, the most well known is chamomile. Don’t drink to much though, as you’ll be getting up to use the toilet, which will kinda defeat the the object of what you are trying to achieve!

Z.3. Meditation—

you just try and stay awake when your lying down listening to some soothing melody or beautiful soulful voice—not a chance!

Z.4. Read—

yes you know those books that have you fall asleep like three pages in...

Z.5. Sex—

yes that will help you sleep— hopefully not during ;-)

I hope to have shared some useful information for you—now back to catching some zzz.