I’ve got a BIG wake-up call for you today — about SLEEP!
Did you know that if you don’t get enough sleep, your risk for heart disease and heart attack goes up…
… no matter your age, your weight, how much you exercise, or whether you smoke?!!! 😱
Plus, not getting enough sleep is linked with:
- Cognitive decline & dementia
- Depression
- Obesity
I know I talk about sleep a lot, but the fact is…
One of the BEST things you can do for yourself — mind, body, and spirit! — is set yourself for a good night of sleep every night.
You’ll recover from your workouts better… have a lot more energy the next day… you’ll make better decisions… you’ll be more focused… and you’ll be able to perform at your very best.
And getting enough sleep can help:
- Boost your immune system and mood,
- Improve brain function,
- Lower your risk of chronic diseases
Here are a few great ways to boost your sleep:
- Get fresh air and sunshine during the day
- Work out or squeeze in some activity early in the day
- Make sure you go to bed early enough so you can get 7+ hours of sleep
- Don’t drink coffee or other caffeinated drinks after lunch
- Limit (or avoid!) alcohol
- Don’t eat heavy foods before bed
- Create a nighttime wind-down routine to let your body know when it’s time to go to sleep
- Dim your screens at night or use a blue light filter
- Use app-blocking tools to avoid late-night scrolling on your phone
And maybe most importantly, really listen to your body.
When you have a GREAT night of sleep, notice what helped you make it happen… and do more of that! 😴
REFERENCE: www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/do-your-heart-a-favor-get-more-sleep