Sleep is a resource just like money. If you don’t budget you’ll be bankrupt.

There is too much to do and not enough time to sleep.

Wrong! Sleep is the resource you need right now. As busy productive individuals trying to maintain a solid work life balance have you ever stopped to think about how sleep plays a role in your financial and physical welfare?

Growing up with phrases like, I’ll sleep when I’m dead or lazy bones when someone sleeps in leads us to believe that sleep in and of itself is a waste of time, but it’s more important than you think.

High stress and less sleep causes higher levels of cortisol also known as the stress hormone. This is what gets us up and going in the morning, but if we have too much of it our stress levels are higher, we’re on edge and we gain weight. Our body thinks it’s under constant attack so it stores all the energy it thinks we need to run, thus causing weight gain.

Sleep is also a time where our brains need to do a mind dump of everything we dealt with during the previous day, work out issues, recover, and heal. If we are not giving our bodies sufficient rest we are not physically healing from the stress and strain of the day, nor are we able to store information in our long term memory. Instead we feel a sense of lethargy and brain fog and that does not allow us to be at our best. In essence, lack of sleep makes us crabby, feel crappy, and reach for more junk food for a quick energy boost.

None of this helps with positive self esteem, self image, mental outlook, productivity, or the waist line.

Not getting enough sleep is linked to poor eating habits, forgetfulness, increased stress, anxiety and depression. There is an increase in the stress hormone cortisol a decrease in the feel good hormone serotonin, and a longer healing time for injuries.

Sleep is one of our basic needs along with food and shelter. If we can’t even do the basics how do we expect to tackle the more advanced stuff in our day to day life? The average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep a night for maximum efficiency. More if they’re sick or injured.

Yes we’re busy and we need to block out our time for meetings and work accordingly, but we also need to set the time aside and block off on our calendars time for rest. We cannot be our best selves without it.

We all struggle with regular sleep schedules whether stress is keeping us awake or we have some other underlying condition like insomnia, sleep apnea, severe anxiety disorder, or fear of missing out. I know it’s a struggle to get your sleep in check. I still struggle myself, but there are apps available to help you wind down, or to track your sleep habits, there are over the counter sleep aids both natural and medical. If those don’t work and it turns out you have a medical condition please go get checked by your doctor. Hopefully they can give you some solutions on how to get a better nights sleep.

Now that we know most of us are deficient in sleep what can we do to rectify this?

First and foremost this article is not a replacement for medical care. I am not a sleep specialist. I’m a working mom who’s had her share of sleepless nights.

1. If you suffer from chronic sleep problems reach out to your medical doctor.

Your doctor can speak with you, order tests, and refer you out to other specialists that help you get to the root of your sleep problem. If they can determine a difinitive reason why you are having sleep issues they can then determine the best way to help you fix the issue. Sometimes this may require medications, a change in lifestyle, or talk therapy. Not every remedy works for every person.

2. Make sleep a priority.

It’s hard to get a good nights rest if you’re up partying all night, drinking, listening to loud music or surrounded by stimulating electronics. Though we use this fun time as a way to relax, if we are constantly staying up too late it’s no wonder we are at a sleep deficit. Hang out and have a good time with your friends when you don’t have responsibilities in the morning. This means you might have to say no to things you want to do for what you know you need to do for your optimal well being.

3. Give yourself some wind down time before bed.

Whether it’s reading a book, listening to some calm music, meditating, or stretching, take the time to calm yourself down. If you can block off meetings and calls all day in your schedule you can block off fifteen minutes for yourself. Remember there are twenty four hours in a day, how you choose to use them is up to you.

4. Limit your caffeine.

I know you’re tired. I understand that you are living on that pot of coffee to get you through the day. You are running in fumes because you have so much to do. Coffee has now become infused with your blood and pulses through your veins. Stop it. One cup a day isn’t going to kill you. I know this sounds impossible. As someone who was addicted to coffee and drank it all day since I was twelve, trust me I understand. Giving up my morning coffee was so challenging. I did it though. My anxiety and stress are significantly less, I can handle more things, and when I finally fall asleep (after being up too late), I sleep through the night.

5. Check your pillow and mattress.

Your pillow and mattress might be old causing you to not get restful sleep. Look into different types to help you out.

6. Make sure your room is dark and cool.

It’s hard to sleep if you’re not comfortable and light has been known to stimulate brainwaves. Sweet dreams. Good luck being your best self!