Respect the Rest

Nap. Snooze. Shut-eye. Bedtime. If you are like most people, these words conjure images of snuggling beneath covers, curling up on a comfy couch or otherwise retiring for some well-deserved rest after a demanding day. But, if you are also like most people, you are woefully, chronically short of the amount of sleep your body and mind need. Science is increasingly studying the phenomenon of sleep, and discovering its vital role in health and longevity. Poor sleep has been linked to every ailment physical and psychological -- from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, to cancer and heart disease. We need sleep not only to refresh our bodies and minds from the exertions of our day, but also to allow our bodies and minds time to HEAL. Many parents have had the experience of waking their children in the morning to discover that their little ones seem to have grown overnight. While these changes are more a function of perception than a factual happening, it IS true that our bodies and minds use the time during sleep to regenerate and renew. Sleep slows us down, allowing tension and inflammation to ease. Sleep is a time for our thoughts to quiet, for our list making snd to-dos to take a breather. Like a cleansing breath, sleep rewards us with needed energy and stamina and offers an opportunity to leave behind thoughts and behaviors that may not have served us the day before. Sleep is a necessary boundary between "what was" and "what can become." We have become accustomed to hearing about the importance of a healthy diet or making time for regular exercise. Perhaps we will soon hear that sleep is as essential to our well-being as low cholesterol or vitamin supplements. And while we will sacrifice sleep at times to get in a workout or finish a project, we may be even better served by hitting the snooze and rolling over. If we could approach our bodies' need for sleep the way we consider it's need for fuel and exercise, we'd be more likely to give rest the respect it deserves. Invest in a good pillow. Try those high-thread-count sheets when they go on sale. Notice the sensation of your body sinking into the mattress, the feel of the covers conforming to your body, the sound of your breath as it slows and evens. I wish you sweet dreams.