Sleep debt! Just like financial debt, sleep debt can cost us a lot. What do I mean? Think about when you charge something on a credit card but pay it off the next week, you usually don’t have to pay any finance charges. When we don’t get a good night’s sleep for one or two days usually our body can recover within a day or so.
But lack of sleep for a long period of time has serious consequences to our total health. If you constantly rack up credit card charges without paying them off every month you end up with a mountain of debt. Sleep debt is the same way. Sleep debt can lead to a mountain of health problems.
Sick all the time
Our body needs a certain amount of sleep each night to replace and rebuild cells. Sleep debt will weaken the body’s immune system because our body does not have enough time to renew.
Poor concentration
If you lack one night of sleep, your ability to concentrate and focus decreases. Your memory weakens and you will not be able to make clear decisions. Mistakes and accidents may happen. Lack of sleep decreases your performance.
Stroke and high blood pressure
Sleep deprivation can lead to anxiety and raise blood pressure. Chronic sleep disorders can result in chronic diseases like chronic high blood pressure which may eventually lead to a stroke. Heart disease can also be caused by sleep debt.
Diabetes
Other than blood pressure, blood sugar levels may be elevated because of sleep debt which can eventually lead to diabetes.
Obesity
Some people who are suffering from the lack of sleep may find themselves craving junk food or lots of carbs which can give them a quick pick me up. You may also crave caffeine like sodas and coffee. Lack of sleep can start a habit of relying on coffee and carbs which can lead to both obesity and other troubles.
Here are 5 simple tips for A Good Night’s sleep
1) Sleep Environment: Be sure your bedroom is the appropriate temperature, quiet, and comfortable. Bedrooms that are too hot or cold can wake you up in the middle of the night. You may have to invest in ear plugs if you are a light sleeper who awakens easily by noises. And could it be your bed. A bed that is uncomfortable and causes pressure points that wake you up could be your sleep debt culprit.
2) NO TV: did you know that watching TV takes less energy than sleeping? Watching TV to get sleepy is a bad idea both for your dreams and a restful sleep. Be sure the TV is off 1 hour before retiring for sleep. (Not possible in your home…. just try it a couple of nights and see what happens.)
3) No Work, Internet or Computers: the brain is stimulated by computer screens and surfing the web, working on projects, or just scanning Facebook are still stimulating to your brain. Same rule TV rule applies here. No work, Internet, or Computers 1 hour before bed.
4) No Carbs 3 hours prior to sleep: Although carbs can lull you into a Food coma they do not set you up for a restful night sleep. Why? They set you up for a blood sugar drop about 1am or 3am when you will wake up and not be able to go back to sleep not even realizing your body is in a sugar low. So no icecream, breads, chips, or even most fruits 3 hrs before you go to bed. Instead have some protein, a few nuts, an egg, a nice glass of NingXia Red with Seltzer water is my favorite treat at night. (NingXia Red has both proteins and minerals that your body needs for a good night’s sleep)
5) Use Aromatherapy for a restful night’s sleep. Young living’s Lavender oil was found more effective in helping clients sleep than the leading pharmaceutical drug. Some of my other favorite’s are Young Living’s Peace and Calming oil and Tranquil oil. For those who really suffer chronic sleep problems try Young living’s RutaVaLa oil. (Hint: Use oils on feet, chest, shoulders, and ears before bed. If you wake up re-apply oils.)
The average person needs eight hours of sleep per night. But each person is different some people function optimally on 6 hours. Of course the more active and demanding your lifestyle will determine your sleep requirements too.
Maybe you have attempted all the above suggestions but are still not getting a good night’s sleep. There still may be some hidden pieces to your health puzzle. We may be able to help.
We would love to hear from you. Please leave me a comment or contact me at my contact page.
We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.
