Do You Consider Sleep When Establishing Goals?
By Donna Stark
Well, you are more than halfway into the year ... how are your resolutions going? Are you finding success or simply whimpering along? Whether you vowed to eat more vegetables, drink more water, or finally get that whole exercise thing down, there may be one thing standing in your way that you haven’t even considered. And no matter what your resolutions may have been, this invisible component will more than likely play a huge role in achieving success with them. Want to know what it is?
Sleep
We’ve all been there, we’ve all experienced the emotional aftermath that stems from not getting a good night’s sleep. Quality sleep can be the make-it-or-break-it factor when it comes to achieving success with our health goals. Let’s take a look at why and how it benefits us.
- Reduces stress levels
- Controls impulses
- Replaces aging cells
- Recharges the body and brain
- Improves attention levels
- Boosts energy
- Enhances moods
- Regulates emotions
- Reduces pain levels
- Maintains weight
- Strengthens the immune system
Quality Over Quantity
It’s vital to the health of your body to get the proper amount of quality sleep each night, after all, you still want to crush those promises you made to yourself at the beginning of the year, right? And like most things in life, it’s all about the quality that you get and not necessarily the quantity. So set yourself up for success with the following suggestions.
- Power down all devices at least an hour before bed
- Maximize your deep sleep with a cool, quiet, and dark room
- Remove all distractions
- Follow the same routine each night
- Avoid caffeinated drinks in the evenings and late night snacks
- Invest in a great mattress and pillow set to achieve the best sleeping posture
- Visit a chiropractor for adjustments that help improve sleep
Focus on Sleep for Improved Health
Sleep is one of the most important aspects of a healthy lifestyle because it contributes so much to our overall health and wellness. It’s the foundation for everything that we do. By getting the proper amount of sleep each night, you can either maintain the level of success you are already finding or you may start to make some actual gains with your months-old resolutions. Either way, it can all be achieved while also improving other aspects of your health as well … and it can’t get any better than that! So continue on with those resolutions you made at the beginning of the year. You made them for a reason and you still have plenty of time to crush them before the next new year rolls around.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Hillsboro, Ore.