I cannot express enough how important sleep is for our bodies and for our overall health and wellness.

For me personally I am constantly on the go throughout the day and know that I would not function properly without adequate sleep (I have learned this the hard way). I understand that sometimes this is easier said than done, but sleep is truly so important and necessary that we should make extra effort to give our hard working bodies the rest they need. On average, it is recommended for people to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night, but this also differs from person to person. Some people function better on a little less and some need a little more. It is truly about listening to your body and determining what it needs.

When we get the adequate amount of sleep we can function so much better and sharper the next day, completing the tasks at hand with ease and without too little of energy. We are generally more friendly and social when we have sleep and a little more pleasant to be around. On the other side, if we don’t get enough sleep, we run the risk of headaches, increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, as well as depression and decreased reaction time (leading to problems when driving). These are serious health factors to consider when not getting enough sleep and something we should be aware of when thinking lack of sleep only can make us a little more tired the next day.

I tend to have trouble sleeping at night which is very rare for someone my age and at my activity level. I am easily in bed by 10 pm on average throughout the week and am tired and ready for bed but I just can’t seem to actually fall asleep. So for those of you like me who struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep, here are a few tips that may be able to help you get those zzz’s your body is craving…

1. Keep your bedroom dark and quiet when sleeping, eliminating extra distractions.
2. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule through the entire week, even on the weekends and throughout summer vacations.
3. Exercise daily.
4. Try not to eat a big meal close to bed time, this will keep the digestive system up and working, which in turn keeps you up. (But also do not go to bed really hungry and with a grumbling stomach, because this too can keep you up).
5. Adjust temperature in your room according to if you like it hotter or colder.
6. Try a soothing and easy yoga meditation practice before going to bed.
7. Turn off the cell phones and TV close to an hour or so before going to bed. Even in our restful state while watching TV, our minds our still being stimulated and active.
8. Turn of our brains! This one is especially hard for me because I am constantly thinking and planning something so I have to consciously tell myself to relax and that I can think about it tomorrow.

These are just a few (hopefully) helpful hints to help you get more sleep and reap the benefits from it! Our hard working bodies truly need it and deserve it!

*This recipe was originally published on Sami’s blog, PBAndOats. For more from Sami, visit www.pbandoats.wordpress.com.