Episode 36: The Better Sleep Video
SLEEP is one of the most important aspects of health and overall well-being in midlife. Are you getting enough?!
Sleep falls under two of the 4 Foundations of Life after Kids. It's important for vitality (physical health) and it's necessary for resilience (emotional health). When you're stressed it often becomes more difficult to sleep. Lack of sleep then leads to more stress and imbalance. Thus, creating a negative feedback cycle. Sleep is so important to thriving in life after 40. And yet, sleep happens to be one of the things we struggle with in this phase of life. So, you guessed it! BETTER SLEEP is the topic of discussion on this week's episode of Life after Kids with Drs. Brooke and Lynne.
Current research shows that we need approximately 6-7 hours of deep sleep in order to be rested and healthy. But, this must be good quality, uninterrupted, restful sleep. When you toss and turn or wake up regularly you begin to require more than 7 hours. Sleep is the only time your body has fully dedicated to regenerating and healing itself. And, deep sleep is so important for brain health. We've listed a few simple ways to improve sleep below...
Stop using your computer and other devices approximately 1 1/2 hours before bed time
Don't work too late into the evening, this fires your brainuup instead of preparing it for sleep
Stop eating 2-4 hours before bed time
Consider a tracking tool like the oura ring
Balance your blood sugar
Limit alcohol intake later in the evening