Lack of proper, restful sleep has a direct, negative, effect on our health. While we sleep our body’s metabolism slows down into Basal Metabolism. Also during various stages of our sleep we dream. No one, to my knowledge, knows why we dream, but we need it. During this slowing down of our metabolism our immune system takes over, repairing and assisting the healing process of our body. Without sufficient and quality sleep this work that our immune system engages in is lost and wasted provoking that we get sick and tired.
Insomnia is our inability to sleep. We find ourselves exhausted and frustrated wanting rest and unable to get it. I come with ideas and suggestions, not as an expert, but as someone that lives within a hyperactive metabolism which needs help slowing down, settling down. My normal solution in to work and/or engage in any and all activities that will exhaust me demanding that I go to sleep. That’s no fun. So I decided to do something about my short period of sleep. I have normally slept an average of 4 hours per night which leaves me tired and cranky.
Restful sleep does not have a silver bullet solution. Therefore, the components that lead to long and recovering sleep need to be looked at independently.
Your Busy Mind: I recently discovered that during my busy days I tell myself pods of negative information about bad things that may happen. Our mind analyses our current events and summarized data to help us along our way. That’s peachy, as long as we do not become habitual worriers, unknowingly. It’s different to worry about the hurricane due in two days than the hurricane that may or may not arrive next year. I focused my mind on noticing when I would scare myself about nonsense and slap back the thought as irrelevant. I tell myself to stop worrying over nothing. Put it away. Slap it down. I don’t need this warning, is how I nuke the unnecessary worry. It worked. The length and quality of my rest improved significantly.
Your Bed: That wonderful place where you place yourself for a long period of rest and privacy. I suggest that you pay attention, in minute detail, to your bed. Attention must be paid to how comfortable your pillows are. The position of your head and neck will decide if you sleep well or not. Quality sheets does not mean expensive sheets. 800 thread Egyptian cotton sheets can cost thousands of dollars or 50 dollars at Marshall’s or eBay. So learn to shop smart and get some of these wonderful sheets that will hug you back when you get into your bed. I like to add lavender water to their wash which leaves the sheets with a very mild and enticing lavender scent. You can also spray a mild scent that you like. Nothing is too much to sleep and rest in peace.
A warm beverage: (not coffee) at bedtime: Each metabolism reacts differently to a drinks components. My magic drink is hot chocolate that requires I add 1 cup of hot water or milk. I make mine with hot water. It has about 230 calories and it warms me from the inside out.
So here we are. A clear mind, a comfortable neck on the right pillow, sheets that will embrace you and a warm tummy.
Stay away from sleep clothes that will tangle when you turn and wake you. I’ve been sleeping 8 hours on average for the first time in my life. This works for me. I hope it works for you too. Pleasant dreams. Thank you for reading.
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