Why is sleep so important? Insufficient sleep is a huge trigger for loss of telomere length. Why does that matter… telomere length is a biological marker directly related to aging. Poor sleep ages us more quickly.
Poor sleep (aka less than 7 hours) increases the hunger hormone ghrelin which usually results in increased intake of calories and the brain becomes more focused on pleasure food with less restraint. Poor sleep also decreases your melatonin. Melatonin is a POWERFUL antioxidant that does so much more than make us sleepy!
Having a wind-down routine is important to decrease cortisol and adrenaline (hormones that interfere with falling asleep and staying asleep).
Sleep Tips
In AM
Expose eyes to morning light
Move your body when you wake-up
Say no to snoozing
In PM
Minimize blue light at night
Blackout shades or eye mask
Red night light in bathroom (available on Amazon)
Wind-down routine ideas (share your ideas in the group)
lavendar
warm shower (then into cool room so your body cools quickly)
deep breathing (4,7,8 -inhale 4 counts, hold 7 counts, exhale 8 counts)
gratitude practice (increases serotonin)
foam roller
calming music
Sleep Nutrition
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