Without a doubt, my favorite weight loss advice is:
Get a good night’s sleep.
Now that’s something I can embrace! It doesn’t have anything to do with counting calories or adding a workout (although both are also effective). It has to do with counting sheep and giving yourself permission to get a good night’s rest every night.
According to a National Sleep Foundation survey, more than half of Americans are sometimes unable to fall or stay asleep, and one-third of us experience sleeping problems every night or almost every night.
Do you struggle with going to sleep? Read this checklist and see if any of these ideas may help:
Don’t drink caffeine late in the day.
Don’t stare at the clock. If you haven’t fallen asleep after about 20 minutes, get out of bed and do something relaxing like reading in a different room until you get sleepy.
Don’t watch the evening news in bed.
Don’t try to conquer the world in 24 hours. Technology allows us to keep working long after the work day is done. Learn to turn. it. off.
Just like with kids, a bedtime routine is important to ensure a good night’s sleep. The ritual of washing your face, reading a chapter in a book, and breathing a prayer of thanks can signal “It’s time to sleep” to your mind and body.
Research shows that women ages 45-65 who get five or less hours of sleep a night are 50 percent more likely to develop heart disease than women who get 8 hours of sleep. Obesity is linked with lack of sleep as well.
Make it something new for 2013 if you haven’t already…make sleep a priority in your life! When you sleep 8 hours a night, your body will be more cooperative when it comes to exericse, healthy eating, and a positive mindset.
Are you challenged when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep? What changes could you make in your daily routine to better your chances of catching all the ZZZ’s you need?
