Sleeping for Wellness
Spring has finally arrived, and we are energized! We are excitedly planning for the warm days ahead and the changing season has us thinking about rejuvenation and growth. We see flowers beginning to push through the dark, winter soil and we are inspired by #springvibes, #springishere, and even #springcleaning.
Despite the inspiration of this time of the year, spring is also a time when wellness and energy can fluctuate wildly. Spring signals changes that can be complex to manage – changes in weather and routines can generate feelings of uncertainty just as often as excitement. Life events, such as upcoming graduations, create both feelings of apprehension and joy. Vacations tempt us to rest and play but can also be stressful to plan and execute.
Another formidable change navigated in spring is the time change. While springing forward brings light to the evening, there are drawbacks to our bodies with shifting the time. Sleep and wake cycles become disrupted, and darkness in the morning can make it hard to transition awake.
A powerful way to address the fluctuations and challenges of the spring is with an emphasis on wellness through sleep. Though an area that is frequently overlooked and undervalued, sleep is an essential ingredient to creating balanced wellness. It has a proven impact on our physical, mental, and emotional health, and plays a critical role in everything from metabolism and memory to tissue restoration and vital organ function. Without sleep, we feel sluggish and terrible – with a good night of sleep, we feel ready to take on the world.
Strategies abound for getting more sleep. From establishing a routine to creating sleep habits, it is necessary to both prioritize and create the environment for good sleep. What is also important, though, is setting the tone for restorative sleep. In examining or attempting to solve problems right before bed, we can wreak havoc on the sleep we need. However, if we can end the day emphasizing the positives that occurred, we can enable a peaceful transition into sleep, facilitating restoration and wellness.
Curious to give it a try? When heading to bed tonight, here are a few questions to ask yourself to reframe the day before transitioning to sleep.
What did I learn about myself today?
What are 3 positive things that happened?
How did I move toward my goals?
In reflecting on the positives, we are not overlooking the obstacles encountered or the problems to be solved. We are, however, ending the day with a deliberate emphasis on appreciation and gratitude to facilitate the sleep that helps us tackle the next day. In this way, we leverage sleep as a tool to both build and promote wellness – through restorative sleep, we will move further down the path towards the ultimate wellness envisioned and desired.
What tone will you set as you get ready to sleep tonight?
