Hey, girl! I hope you are doing well and had a wonderful Christmas! Happy New Year too! :) Throughout the past few months, I know we've talked a lot about sleep. It's hard to overemphasize just how important quality, regenerative, and deep rest is for our health. God designed our bodies to undergo pretty magical processes every night that our head hits the pillow. But, in our culture today with late-night dinners and snacking, TV shows and movies on instant access anytime, and cell phones that are practically attached to us more often than not, most people do not get consistent, quality sleep. Quality sleep is foundational as so many important restorative cellular processes like detoxification, hormone regulation, immune system boosting, and much more happen when we are asleep for enough time each night and able to get quality, uninterrupted sleep. Sleep affects our daily energy level and mood and ultimately our longevity. Over the past few weeks with some time off, enjoying festive treats, and later nights, I've fallen off track from a routine and habits that provide the rejuvenation my body needs each day. If you have been feeling exhausted, maybe trying to lose weight, or trying to heal from something— physically, mentally, or emotionally— I want to invite you to begin incorporating these habits in your day alongside me. Just start with one to avoid being overwhelmed and increase sustainability. Remember, small hinges swing BIG doors. Even if these may seem too obvious or like they won't make that big of a difference, ask yourself, have I been doing these things? Imagine what you could feel like if you did these things for the next week, month, and beyond! Again, without QUALITY sleep consistently, it's hard to achieve any other health goals. We're going back to basics! :) 3 Tips to Start Sleeping Like a Baby Again: Eat your last meal and any snack at least 2 hours before sleep: For all of the brilliantly designed processes by God like detoxification and full-body rebooting to happen during sleep, we need deeper solid sleep. This means that we want to give our body time to digest food before sleep or else late-night food causes late-night digestion which interferes with detoxification, deeper healing, and regulation of your hormones and neurotransmitters. Your hormones and neurotransmitters affect your appetite, emotional health, and mental health. Limit your liquids after 7:30pm: This one is more simple. Haha! It affects our sleep when we have to get up in the middle of the night, whether once or multiple times. Hydrate earlier in the day. Plan to enjoy your drink with dinner or hot tea right after dinner rather than right before bedtime. Drinking a hot beverage right after dinner will help with digestion too, which is a win-win! I do recommend avoiding caffeine as sleep and caffeine don't mix well. Unplug from all screens and technology at least 1 hour before bed: This may be the hardest to break… I'll speak for myself as I like to watch multiple episodes of the Holiday Baking Challenge at night as of late. However, in the morning I realize it's not worth my sleep, energy levels, overall health, oh and mood! Even if it's watching just one episode tonight and then watching earlier the next night, your body and brain will thank you. It's been such a great year having you here! I'm excited to begin 2021 together and continue cultivating what really matters in our health and our lives! Know that I'm cheering you on! :)
—Heather
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