Sleep is critical to a healthy lifestyle. Your body rebuilds and revitalizes at rest. Without adequate recovery time, muscles cannot grow and your body’s natural self maintenance systems are compromised. In addition to being tired all the time, you will look and feel older. Your immune system will be compromised by the constant presence of stress hormones (adrenaline). Despite this, most Americans are at some stage of sleep deprivation. Caffeine-rich drinks and foods compensate for too little sleep after a long day’s work.

Catching your Z’s is good for your mind as well as your body. You’ll be sharper with adequate rest. Recent research has shown that there is a strong link between memory and sleep. Memories are created in 3 discrete stages, the second of which requires sleep. If you learn something during the day and are tested on it that same day, there is no improvement in the memory. But after a night of sleep, that memory is improved! Unfortunately, if you miss sleep the first night, you’ve lost your chance. Extra sleep later won’t help. If you want to improve the quality of your memory every day - look and feel sharper at work (or play) – be sure to get adequate sleep!

Active Rest can be as good as sleep for your body in terms of recuperation and invigoration. A regular meditation or yoga practice will help you to quiet your mind, relax, breathe deeply and become more self-aware – all leading to a healthier lifestyle.

Make an effort to get Quality Sleep: The best energy-boosting moves are to get up and go to bed at the same times every day and to sleep for a full 8 hours. Know your own sleep rhythm and follow it. If you are naturally an earlier riser, be sure to get to bed early to insure adequate sleep time. When you can’t get enough sleep at night, “catnaps” can help refresh you. When you can’t actually lie down and sleep, take a meditation break and quiet your mind by focusing on your breathing. Turn off the radio, the television and the telephone and make it a real rest from the usual distractions.

Don’t go to bed hungry. You will sleep more soundly and longer with the stable blood sugar level that comes from a protein rich evening snack. (Especially avoid sugar which disrupts sleep and blocks fat utilization for at least 5 hours). Melatonin is a natural sleep aid. If you have trouble with your sleep, take 1 to 3 mg with your pre-sleep snack.