How well are you sleeping?

Sleeping is often seen as a luxury, a sign of idleness, rather than a vital component that has widespread effects.  How well are you sleeping? And could an earlier bedtime or a lie-in on Sundays change your health for the better?

Sleep loss has many effects, some as obvious as daytime fatigue, some a bit more leftfield but also more significant such as higher risk of heart disease.  A reduction in sleep means less than 7-8 hours per night, and unfortunately becomes more prevalent as we get older. Not only does sleep loss have some significant health affects, but it can also set in  motion a chain of unhealthy consequence. Who isn’t more likely to turn to the coffee machine or a sugar laden fix to get through the day after a night of poor sleep?

As we all know, sleep can be complicated. How to get to sleep, stay asleep and wake rested can be much easier said than done. If you would like to include more sleep in your life, have a think about ways to calm your mind before bed. Try switching off electronic devices earlier, play some gentle music, listen to a meditation track, consider a supplement such as magnesium, cut out the caffeine after lunchtime, and choose a sleep in whenever possible. Its great for your health!