We often forget that our bodies are the vehicles that will take us to our success. If we don’t take care of ourselves, how can we possibly expect to have success? Sleep is one of the first things that seem to get neglected when we want to achieve certain goals in our life, but studies are showing that this is a poor choice to make.
Sleep Does a Body Good
When our bodies sleep, we go through a process of renewal and rejuvenation. In fact, it’s actually not clear what our bodies do when we finally close our eyes at the end of the night, but those who do not get enough sleep seem to suffer ill effects. If you don’t allow your body to rest, your cells are unable to turn over as quickly as they should. This can make your skin appear aged more quickly and it can cause your digestion to slow, which can reduce the nutrition you are able to absorb from your foods.
(Does a Mind Good Too)
In a more ethereal sense, sleep time allows your mind the chance to process what has happened during the day. Without any downtime, your mind can not begin to understand all that your senses took in. There are some studies indicating that sleep time and dreams might be your mind’s way to figuring out what you have learned that day. When you don’t have this time to sleep, you might not be able to make clear connections between what you have experienced and what you have learned as a result.
Counting Sheep?
But not all of us have an easy time sleeping, so you will need to make it a priority to learn how to relax. Try establishing a routine for your sleep times and rising times, or simply sipping herbal tea to help you calm down and get ready for a restful and successful sleep.
Have a most outstanding day
Sean Rasmussen
Success Communicator
SeanRasmussen.com © 2004 – 2008
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I am all for rest and for sleep. It is all too easy to push oneself to meet external deadlines and even my own expectations. While the masochist in me says that this is part of earning the reward, it is important to reflect on what goals I am chasing and why I am chasing them.
If my aim is to work less, but have more money and a great lifestyle, then pushing myself to extremes seems to be a funny way to get there. I am definitely familiar with hard work, and this is usually necessary to get things rolling, but it is important to take time out and enjoy life, and to keep things as fun as possible along the way.
The human body is an incredible organism, and I have often seen people busting to meet deadlines and then coming down with a cold or other illness just after the goal has past. Almost like their body is telling them that it is time for a break and forcing them to take it. Athletes can suffer from the same sort of thing if they overtrain.
All the more reason to treat my body nicely – not just in having time to refresh mentally, but also taking time out to exercise (I find running a great time to think), and eating reasonably healthy too.
.-= Tom McEwin´s last blog ..Getting Targeted Internet Traffic and a Hungry Crowd =-.
This reminds me of that truck driver who used to drive from Perth to the Kunnunurra region non-stop without sleeping along the Canning stock route. You probably know the story better than I do. He was studied by scientists who didn’t understand how he did it. He said he trained himself to do it.
.-= Wal Heinrich´s last blog ..Internet Marketing Why? How? =-.
Hi Sean,
Sleep is not something I’m good at. I think I’m in pretty good company though. I think I heard that you were only getting about four hours sleep a night when you were working for your freedom, Sean. Kevin Rudd only sleeps about three hours a night. So, maybe it makes me more productive?
Still, I would like a bit more sleep so I could get rid of the constantly tired feeling.
As parents, we recognize the recuperative and restorative qualities of sleep. And for those of us with busy days, can be a way of allowing our sub-conscious talk to us. Interesting topic. Just being aware of our own needs is a great start.
.-= Jo Carey-Bradshaw´s last blog ..Empowering Mindset – Mindfulness =-.
This brings a whole new element to ‘beauty sleep’.
The big problem that I have is shutting my mind off. When my head hits the pillow, I still have ideas, and tasks I need to complete going through my mind.
I agree with Tom in that I am amazed how well the body seems to cope at times of immense pressure and long hours with both work and my passion.
.-= Cemil´s last blog ..Masterchef Australia Winner =-.
Unless I’m REALLY tired, (like nodding off at the computer trying to learn more IM stuff!) after I finish my 9pm-5am work shift, I am a bit like Cemil & have trouble sometimes getting my mind to quiet down & calmly drift off to sleep.
Doing shift work certainly doesn’t help with having a regular sleeping pattern or set routine, but I suppose our bodies do learn to cope & when I sleep I usually sleep well. I definitely notice the difference when I let myself run down too far – if I stay up for more than 24 hours doing “stuff”, I’m really hitting the wall & my partner thinks I’m nuts!
I’d like to get into some meditation exercises to relax more, but never seem to have/make the time!..
.-= Mel Smith´s last blog ..3 Ways Article Marketing Can Work for You =-.
Hi Sean,
I must say that I really love sleep & wish I could spend more time laxing out in bed lol. I often find & especially through out this competition that I can’t function properly without sufficient sleep & the same goes for a good diet combined with exercise. I think that it really pays to have a good balance in order to be at your best : )
.-= jeremy´s last blog ..jlagatule- RT @tonyrobbins For you night owls still upCome be the first to have a sneak peak of R Breakthrough insiders site http-bitly-caSRxw =-.