Getting Enough Sleep?

Ever feel like your energy is low throughout the day? Finding it hard to fall asleep at night. No amount of coffee seems to help. Maybe you aren't giving your body enough time to rest and recharge. I for one, will always feel sluggish and tired throughout the day if I don’t sleep anywhere from 7-8 hours. Of course, everyone’s body functions differently and requires different amounts of sleep.

The Benefits of Sleep:

Your body is undergoing many physiological changes when it is sleeping. There are many strong correlations between quality sleep with your health. Not only do you feel more rested with quality sleep, you may also find yourself noting some of these changes in your body:

  • Improved mood the next day

  • Muscle recovery

  • Boost in immune system

  • Improve memory

  • Improve energy levels to improve exercise and cognitive performance.

  • More positive energy and improved mental health

On the other end of the spectrum, when you lack sleep, your cognition, attention, and mood are affected negatively. In a recent study, they found that the relationship between consistent poor sleep is associated with a wide range of disorders such as hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes, poor metabolism, and mood disorders. 

Trouble Sleeping?

We do our best to make the most time for our body to rest and relax, but sometimes we may find ourselves difficult to fall asleep. Here are some tips to hopefully improve the quality of your sleep.

  • Exercise is a great outlet to release anxiety and excess energy

  • Eating healthy meals to reduce indigestion during sleep.

  • Disengage from electronics 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to sleep to relax your mind

  • Meditation to decrease stress levels. I find using headspace effective in managing my stress levels and improving my sleep. 

  • Don’t consume coffee too late in the day. 

These are only some of the few easy ways to improve your quality of sleep. At the end of your day understanding sleep, diet, exercise, and wellness will improve your health and overall quality of life


This is not meant to be medical advice. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your body, please see your local healthcare provider. 

References: 

Worley SL. The Extraordinary Importance of Sleep: The Detrimental Effects of Inadequate Sleep on Health and Public Safety Drive an Explosion of Sleep Research. P T. 2018;43(12):758-763.

Medic G, Wille M, Hemels ME. Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption. Nat Sci Sleep. 2017;9:151-161. Published 2017 May 19. doi:10.2147/NSS.S134864. 


Roger Sheen