Do I really need to remind you about the benefits of sleep? You’ve been hearing it for years. Adequate sleep prevents premature aging, guards against heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and promotes creativity and positive emotions.
Could it be that you’ve forgotten all this? Maybe it’s because you’re not getting enough sleep.
A study from last February by the Journal of Neuroscience suggests that the brain uses our sleeptime to do inventory. Scientists call it “consolidation,” where the brain selects which bits of the day’s information are important enough to keep. This includes rehearsing new skills, establishing habits, and sorting through the memories that came up throughout the day.
Are you having a hard time sticking to your exercise regimen? Losing the main points of the presentation you’re preparing? Forgetting the important things that your loved ones share with you?
Working harder might not be the answer. Instead, try letting your unconscious mind do what it was made to do.
Sleep isn’t a luxury. Your body and mind need it! Instead of pounding a 5-Hour Energy Shot or a double espresso, what if you used your midday break to take a half-hour nap in the park?
What if, instead of making reservations at the hottest table in town, you and your loved one lingered in a hammock together while listening to great music? What a great way to really recharge for the coming week!
To earn five points, think back to a time in your life when you felt really rested. When was it? The breaks between college semesters? The summers of your teen years? Maybe you haven’t felt truly rested since you were being put to bed with a blankie and your thumb in your mouth. Doesn’t matter–take a moment to recall the feeling of drifting into perfect rest. Linger there for a minute…then tell us how it felt to even just think about getting some decent rest.
Remember…thought into action = rejuvenation.
If you want to know about the benefits of great sleep, click here.
