This hustle culture we live in has us constantly struggling to stay productive. Our sleep is often the first thing to be sacrificed, but we aren’t left with the badge of honor we may feel we deserve. Instead, we’re left with dark under eye circles at best, and serious physical ailments at worst. Darling Renegades, this is the opposite of self-kindness! Getting enough sleep is not only crucial, but fundamental to our physical and emotional well-being. Keep reading and I’ll explain why adequate rest is so important and a few ways we can achieve it each night.
Reasons we need to get enough sleep:
1. To restore our bodies: It only makes sense that we need enough time for our bodies to repair, recover, and regenerate. We have very busy lives, so it’s essential we give our bodies the time they need to optimally function. Plus, it’s not called beauty sleep for nothing, and this aging mama needs all the help she can get!
2. Mood: Lack of sleep can lower our emotional resilience. We’ve all been there -yelling at our kids because we’re just so exhausted. To properly regulate our emotions, we better be well-rested! A good night's sleep equips us to better navigate any of our daily challenges.
3. Our brain: Just like our bodies, our brain need enough sleep. Memory, decision-making, learning, focus, creativity, and productivity all suffer when we’re sleep deprived. Side note: If you need some assistance with focusing and “brain fog” these gummies I’ve been taking really help!
4. Self-Compassion: Prioritizing enough sleep is honoring our body’s need for rest and therefore an act of self-compassion and self-kindness.
Things we can do during the day to help us sleep at night:
Exercise: A jog, yoga practice, even a quick walk will help us have consistent sleep.
2. Daily stress management: This one is soooooo tough and deserves its own post. But for now, try taking more breaks during the day, journaling, or meditating.
3. Smaller meals at night: I’m guessing I’m not the only one who can’t sleep when I’m too full. Lying in bed with a sour stomach is the worst!
4. Seeking professional help if needed: This can mean working with a therapist or talking to a doctor about problems with sleep. I’m going to take a sleep apnea test because I’ve been showing some signs. To be honest, I'm intimidated, but if I can get help, it will have been worth it!
Things we can do at bedtime:
1. Create a relaxing bedtime routine: I know this isn’t the first time you’ve read this advice! We need to say YES to reading, stretching and calm music, and NO to screens before bed.
2. Create an optimal sleep environment: Pillows, mattresses, weighted blankets, darkness, and temperature are all things that can aid improved sleep, so we need to make sure these are all working for us.
It’s important to remember that prioritizing sleep is NOT selfish. It’s an essential part of self- kindness! So tonight, let’s tuck ourselves in a little earlier and gift ourselves a good night of sleep, because we deserve it!
-Annie