Scientists have discovered a revolutionary new treatment that makes you live longer. It enhances your memory, makes you more attractive. It keeps you slim and lowers food cravings. It protects you from cancer and dementia. It wards off colds and flu. It lowers your risk of heart attacks and stroke, not to mention diabetes. You’ll even feel happier, less depressed, and less anxious. Are you interested?
- Matthew Walker, renown sleep expert and New York Times bestseller
This morning, I got to watch two of my kids sleep. It felt like the greatest privilege in the world, as I trespassed on their beautiful innocence. They lay there sleeping, not a care in the world.
Actually, my oldest, now 10, isn’t quite like that. She’s more intense, and has even been known to sport a frown on her face while in that delicate slumber. She looks like she’s concentrating on something. I’m not sure what. I’m reminded that it’s not just sleep that we all need, rather to be restful.
According to Walker, who’s quoted above, the foundation of good health is sleep (as opposed to diet or exercise) and getting less than seven hours a night, leads to pretty serious “objective impairments”.
I totally get that, not least of all because of the fact I’m a total wreck this morning. Sleep deprivation for me equals reactivity, poor decision-making and an increased likelihood to overeat. I remember reading a study once about a bunch of non-diabetics becoming prediabetics after just a few nights of reduced sleep (5 hours a night). The story’s much the same for conditions like heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
Looks like all 55 trillion cells in the body suffer without adequate shut-eye.
So, with that, if I’m to take a dose of my own medicine and head off for some shut-eye in the middle of the day.
The first step in any situation is awareness. It’s up to you what you decide to do with it.
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