Day 18 of my top 30 for 30:
It goes without saying that sleep is an important part of our daily routine since so many body functions rely upon the restoration that sleep brings for proper functioning of our various organ systems, including our immune system, nervous system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine (hormonal) system, and more. Mood, memory, and cognitive function are also affected by the amount and quality of sleep we experience.
In regard to amount, sleeping 8 hours per night is ideal for me – on most days, I allow myself to spontaneously awaken without an alarm clock and I do not feel the need to drink any type of caffeine containing beverage to get myself going in the morning. In fact, I have only had 3 cups of coffee in my entire life, all before I became interested in raw food 30 years ago. Rick and I also sleep in a fully dark bedroom, which can help with melatonin production. Fortunately, we live in an area where there isn’t much ambient light and we have a dark shade to block out any moonlight that may be present.
To help feel well-rested and refreshed upon rising in the morning, I also stop eating 4 or more hours before going to bed the night before so that I’m not actively digesting food in my stomach while sleeping. I’ve noticed a huge difference in how I feel this way versus eating closer to bed time, which leads to me feeling groggy and not as well-slept the next day. This being said, some people have shared that eating before bed helps them actually sleep better.
Which way works best for you?
Exercise earlier in the day, also helps me experience restful sleep as does several minutes of mediation periodically throughout the day.
Photo: Presenting at the 2019 UK Fruitfest. Often when I’m traveling, my sleep is not as sound as when I’m home, but at this festival my sleep was great! Must’ve been the awesome food and company! Cheers to organizer Ronnie, his impressive team, and to everyone I had the joy of meeting there!
What strategies have helped you experience restorative sleep?