Why aren’t I sleeping well?

We all know how important sleep is for our health. Sleep is the time for our bodies to recharge and renew.  Optimally we require 8 hours for this process.

One study showed that if we are awake for 19 hours, which many of us are, our performance levels are that of being legally intoxicated!

Studies at Walter Reed Hospital took 4 groups of people, each given certain amounts of hours to sleep, 9, 7, 5 and 3 for one week.

Their reaction times were tested regularly throughout the day when awake.

Performance increased when they had 9 hours to sleep.  Fewer hours of sleep = lower performance.  When the groups with less sleep were asked about their performance, they said good!

They were so unaware of the impairment in their performance!

Many people, myself included, do not realize how the build up of what goes on during the day affected my own sleep patterns. When we allow stress or overwhelm to build up it throws off the body’s natural rhythms.  This contributes to insomnia or restless sleep.

So, be aware of the stressors in your life, how we ruminate over what is happening.  For me, I found myself ruminating over family issues. Humbly admitting this had been going on for weeks!!!  For some it will be the political chaos, others money, world hunger, poverty, righteous indignations…the list goes on.

Humbly I had to apply my own tools the last 2 nights!  Sleeping much better now;-)