By Linda Denninger

Ahh…the blessed relief a good night’s sleep can bring!  It allows you to wake up feeling, recharged, refreshed and ready to take on a brand-new day! 

Without good sleep, our brains cannot function properly.  Studies show a good night’s sleep improves learning, helps to enhance your problem-solving skills, helps you pay better attention, make better decisions, and even be more creative! 

Sleep is critical to good physical health.  While sleeping your body is working on healing and repairing your heart and blood vessels.  Lack of sleep has been linked to heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke.  Sleep deficiency also increases your chances of obesity.  A good night’s sleep helps to maintain healthy hormonal balance, normal blood sugar levels, and helps to keep your immune system strong.  Struggles with getting a good night’s sleep can change the way your immune system responds, which can make you more susceptible to infections.

So, we know we need it – how do we go about getting it!?!?  Well, there are several things you can try to help improve your sleep patterns.  Here are a few:

1. Get into a routine making sure you go to bed and wake up around the same time every day.  Even on the weekends!  You disrupt your body’s sleep/wake rhythm when you sleep in too long or stay up too late.
2. For about an hour before you go to bed, avoid strenuous exercise and bright lights from computer/TV screens.  The light can send a signal to your brain that you should be awake.
3. Avoid large meals and alcoholic beverages for several hours before going to bed.
4. Nicotine and caffeine are stimulants that can interfere with sleep.  The effects of caffeine can last up to 8 hours in your body.  Avoid them completely if you can but if not, at least avoid them after noon.
5. Try to be active during the day and be sure to get some sunshine every day. 
6. Keep your bedroom quiet and make it a relaxing place to be.  Use the bedroom for sleep – not watching TV or working on a computer. 
7. Take a hot bath and/or meditate or use other relaxation techniques before you retire for the evening.
8. Visit the Dream Sleep category at DreamProducts.com  to find an assortment of items that can assist you in getting a great night’s sleep!  From comfy blankets, to pillows, to all-natural remedies, there are a wide variety of products to help you!

We found this article from WebMD that we found interesting, and we hope you do too! 

Surprising Reasons to Get More Sleep

Here’s wishing you a great night’s sleep and a beautiful tomorrow!  Stay Safe My Friends!

Linda Denninger