Sleep rejuvenates our bodies. Sleep restores our minds. Andwithout sleep, we would never experience the wonder of re-awakening each day toa new day and new possibilities.
Here’s a look at 26 ways (from A-Z) that sleep affects ourwellbeing of mind, body and spirit:
A: Awakening
“When one realizes one is asleep, at that moment one isalready half-awake.” (P.D. Ouspensky)
B: Bedtimes
Going to bed at the same time each night allows you to getyour best rest!
C: Caffeine
Leave the coffee for the morning – late night caffeinedisrupts your body’s natural rest cycles.
D: Dreams
“Nothing happens unless first a dream.” (Carl Sandburg)
E: Exercise
We sleep best when our bodies are naturally tired. Get plentyof exercise during the day – just not right before bedtime.
F: Forty Winks
Short naps (less than one hour) are great ways to help withmidday tiredness.
G: Good Moods
Sleeping well for multiple, consecutive nights willnoticeably enhance your mood and optimize your daily energy.
H: Health
“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in thedoctor’s book.” (Irish Proverb)
I: Insomnia
“A little insomnia is not without its value in making usappreciate sleep, in throwing a ray of light upon that darkness.” (Marcel Proust)
J: Joy
Sleep, and be happy. If you get enough rest at night, itwill be obvious the next day.
K: Keep Cool
Sleeping in cool temperatures generally leaves you feeling morerested than sleeping in hot conditions.
L: Lights
A nightlight can help you sleep peacefully, but too manydistracting lights (think phones and tablets) can make falling asleepdifficult.
M: Meditation
“Sleep is the best meditation.” (Dalai Lama)
N: Nutrition
Late night snacking will keep you awake – go for a cool glassof water or decaffeinated teas instead if you’re trying to fall asleep.
O: One, Two, Three…
Tossing and turning? You might try closing your eyes andcounting sheep!
P: Pillows
“Fatigue is the best pillow.” (Benjamin Franklin)
Q: Quiet
Make your bedroom a personal place of peace and serenity.
R: Renewal
During sleep our bodies regenerate and restore torn musclesand tissues.
S: Silence
“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.” (FrancisBacon)
T: Time and Tomorrows
“Yesterday is but today’s memory, and tomorrow is today’sdream.” (Khalil Gibran)
U: Understanding Sleep
Take time to analyze your sleep habits – most adults needat least 7 hours per night to operate at full potential.
V: Valuable Rest
In the average lifetime, a human spends nearly 100,000 hoursin sleep.
W: Wellness
“Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodiestogether.” (Thomas Dekker)
X: EX-istence
The nightly rhythms of sleep reflect the greater rhythmsthat exist in nature, reminding us of the cycle of the seasons, the planets andso on.
Y: Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra or “yogi sleep” is a sleep-like stateof deep relaxation, while still maintaining consciousness.
Z: Zzzz…
You knew this one was coming!
Sleep well, and live better. Every day we wake up in thisworld is a gift – so use your daytime hours to pursue what you viewed aspossible in your dreams.
