How Are You Sleeping?

A good night's sleep can change everything!

One of the Guidelines of the Whole30 AIP Challenge is about sleep. “Focus on getting quality sleep (6-8 hours a night).  That is difficult for many people.  It is especially difficult during the detox stages of the AIP.  Some may experiencing tossing and turing, aches and pains and restlessness.  However, it is important to pay attention to your sleep patterns and actively work on creating good, healthy sleep behaviors.  

Some of the  things that have helped me change the way I sleep are eating healthy (not eating a few hours before bed), mild exercise and magnesium. Yes, magnesium has helped tremendously and is a simple fix.  I use Natural Calm.  Is comes in powder form, I mix it up in water and drink it before I got to bed.  Since I started using it I feel so much better and my sleep has improved in ways I couldn’t imagine. Before starting AIP and taking Natural Calm I tossed, turned and only slept off and on, plus I had a terrible time going to sleep. Now I go to sleep quickly, sleep soundly and wake up refreshed.  It’s wonderful!  If you want to learn more about magnesium and sleep here is a good article “Magnesium: Meet the Most Powerful Relaxation Mineral Available.”

Another important reason to get good sleep is it helps with weight loss.  People who have difficulty losing weight usually are not sleeping well.  Your body needs good quality sleep to function effectively.  That also goes for healing inflammation as well.  It is during sleep that the body  rejuvenates itself and slows down so that the healing process can do it’s thing.  In an article by Heather Tick, M.D in the Well Being Journal, she discuses how sleep promotes healthy rhythms in out body. “When we are sleeping soundly, some of our biological functions align their rhythms with each other.  These functions include our respiration, blood pressure, and brain wave activity.  This same phenomenon  happens when we are in a state of meditation, gratitude, or appreciation . . . .Scientists call this rhythmic synchrony or entrainment, and they agree it is good for your health.” 

So, how do you develop good sleeping habits?  Here are a few suggestions from the article in the Well Being Journal.

• Adopt a regular sleep time and develop a relaxing bedtime routine.

• During the hour or two before bed do not consume large quants of food or beverages, exercise vigorously, or focus on aggravating issues.

• Avoid using a computer, tablets, cell phones or watching TV - these excite the brain in negative ways.

• Have a comfortable mattress, pillow and bedding. (Make your bedroom a sanctuary)

• Sleep primarily at night and limit day-time naps to a maximum of 30 minutes.

• Sleep in total darkness or use a sleep mask.

• Keep your bedroom cool.

• Avoid nicotine, caffeine, alcohol and sugar. All these are stimulants.

Take sleep seriously!  It is vital to your health and healing your body.  Make it a priority and let people in your life know that you value your sleep and must honor it.  If you are so busy that your sleep is suffering, then it’s time to take a look at your life and see what you can change. 

“The best bridge between despair and hope is a good nights sleep.” ~E. Joseph Cossman