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Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Sleep is cheap, easy and doesn’t require any special equipment but according to the National Sleep Foundation, many people don’t get enough sleep. I know I’m guilty of cheating myself out of adequate sleep at times. With all of our busy lives it may seem like there aren’t enough hours in the day but we have to make a concentrated effort to make sure we get enough sleep because not getting enough rest can be more detrimental than we realize.

Surprisingly, the old “you have to get 8 hours of sleep” mantra isn’t exactly true – as discussed in this article the amount of sleep people need varies by age, gender and individual physical needs. How do you know how much is enough? If you still feel excessively sleepy or like you need caffeine or other stimulants to get moving, you likely haven’t slept enough. While you may not necessarily need 8 hours, it’s generally agreed that 6 to 7 is the minimum amount for anyone’s body to be adequately rested so if you’ve only slept 4 or 5 hours in a night, you haven’t gotten enough sleep.

Though, the amount of sleep each person needs may vary, what doesn’t vary are the negative effects of not getting enough sleep. Decreased reaction time increasing the risk of car accidents and other types of accidents is one of the effects most people know about, but did you know lack of sleep can lead to an increase in body mass index and obesity? If you’re aiming to drop a few pounds and get healthier, like so many of us are, one of the best ways to boost your potential for success is by making sure you get adequate rest.

It’s a 3-day weekend for many of us so let’s take advantage. Instead of running out to catch sales – honestly, you probably don’t need that stuff anyway – stay in, catch a few winks and return to work and or school extra refreshed and feeling great!

Peace, light & a comfy bed,
‘Funlayo