TOP WAY WE SABOTAGE OURSELVES: SLEEP
We all know that this is the time of year when we struggle to balance work, family life, and the holiday season. And it’s not always easy to do! One habit that many of us have is sleep deprivation. That’s why I wanted to share some thoughts on how we can sabotage ourselves at this time of year.
We have many opportunities to stay up late or sleepless during December- January. So today, I want to talk about one way in particular where you might be sabotaging yourself – your sleeping habits.
When you are overtired or sleep-deprived, it sets off a chain reaction in your body that affects almost every area of your life. It can affect your mood and appetite, metabolism, immune system, and memory. Additionally, when you’re tired, your body is not as efficient at processing food and calories. So if you’re trying to watch your weight or maintain a healthy diet during the holidays, sleeping enough is vital!
It’s essential to go to bed early enough so that you can get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Also, why it’s necessary to set yourself up for sleep success with healthy habits that make it easier to FALL ASLEEP and STAY ASLEEP!
I believe in knowing the WHYs of the things we do. So here I have got a list of 10 bullet points that can happen when you don’t get enough sleep. So how can you tell if you’re sabotaging yourself with your rest?
Well, here are a few signs:
- You’re feeling exhausted all the time.
- You have trouble focusing, learning or staying motivated.
- Your immune system is compromised, and you keep getting sick.
- You’re not sleeping well at night or constantly
- Your sex drive is low
- You’re more accident-prone
- You might be feeling angry, anxious or depressed
- Your skin health is affected
- You feel hungrier as you’re hunger hormones are out of balance
- Chronic sleep deprivation can be linked to many diseases such as diabetes and cancer
Now, what can you do about it?
If you find that you are struggling with these symptoms, the first step is to talk to your doctor. They might be able to help you figure out what’s going on and how to get back on track.
All in all, when we are sleep-deprived, it’s much harder to make good choices. So if you want to feel alert and focused at work, stay on top of your daily tasks; prioritize exercise and a healthy diet; maintain an optimistic attitude about life, then you must get more sleep!
Now, life happens, and sometimes we don’t get as much sleep as needed. But being mindful about making time for it and setting yourself up for a great night of sleep with your regular healthy habits can go a long way toward getting those 7 to 8 hours.
PLUS, and this is a biggie! If you’ve had a restless night of sleep, it can be super helpful to know how it impacts your body.
So, if your appetite is out of control or you are foggy or clumsy, you know WHY it’s happening, which helps you deal with it better.
But in addition to that, here are a few tips for getting better sleep.
-Set a regular bedtime and stick to it as much as possible.
-Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and relaxed.
-Limit screen time before bed.
-Do some relaxation exercises or yoga before bedtime.
-Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime.
-Make sure your sleeping environment is dark, quiet and calm.
-Establish a relaxing bedtime routine, including reading or calming activities like yoga or meditation.
-Limit screen time before bed (phones, laptops, tv etc.)
-Having a hot bath with Magnesium or Epsom salts can help you relax and get a good night’s sleep.
-You can also take the supplement Magnesium Glycinate or Valerian root before bed to help relax your muscles, mind and body for better sleep.
Here at Body Circuit, we look beyond just the exercise sets and reps/ the number on the scale or even the inches lost. We prefer to focus on the whole person to help you reach your goals and utilize tools that best meet our client’s goals!
It’s not always easy to balance work, family life and the holiday season. But one thing we can do is understand how sleep deprivation affects our body and mind so that we don’t sabotage ourselves during this time of year. I hope you’ve gained some helpful insights from this post on how to stay mentally sharp throughout December-January without sacrificing your physical well-being too much! Book a goal-setting call today with me, and let’s get started planning what success means for you next year! If you’re looking for more tips or advice on how to set goals in 2022, check out my article “Goal Setting Boosts Your Chances of Success.”
I hope this list helps you stay on track over the holiday season!