A Good Night's Sleep: Why It's Important & How to Get It! by Dr. Sarah Allen

What is one of the most important things that can affect our quality of life? Sleep! A good night’s sleep helps us:

• think more clearly
• be more productive 
• manage our mood better

Women often struggle to make sleep a priority, or maybe worrying and racing brains make it hard to sleep. Here are some tips to help!

• Make relaxation your goal, not sleep. If you find it hard to fall back asleep, try a relaxation technique such as visualization, deep breathing, or meditation, which can be done without even getting out of bed. Remind yourself that although they’re not a replacement for sleep, rest and relaxation still help rejuvenate your body.
• Relaxation CDs can help as they use a hypnotic voice to guide you through muscle relaxation and soothing music and sound effects to relax your brain.
• If you wake up at night and can’t get back to sleep for more than 15 minutes try doing a quiet, non-stimulating activity, such as reading a book. Keep the lights dim so as not to cue your body clock that it’s time to wake up, a little book light is perfect. Don’t be tempted to read your emails!
• Relaxation exercises, such as light yoga stretches, help to relax the muscles. Don’t exercise vigorously though, as it will have the opposite effect.

Get more sleeping tips here!