Rest and SleepRest and sleep is more important than you may realize. We were not created to be on the go 24/7. Yet how often have you found yourself buying into modern day expectations to do it all and to have it all? You may find that trying to meet these unrealistic expectations is keeping you much busier than you could have ever imagined. It's a trap that is so easy to fall into. Where do you possibly find time for relaxation or even rest and sleep? 
Keeping yourself occupied is great, but there has to be some limits. Some balance should exist between times when you are being productive and times when you are resting. Your health really does depend on your ability to get enough rest and sleep. If you try to keep going without any breaks, you may start feeling overwhelmed, tired, and worn out. Take a Break!Rest can take different shapes and forms. It can be a relaxing sleep at night or it can be taking a much needed (and well deserved) vacation.Even making a change in your routine or pace of life can be a form of rest. Taking a break allows your body the time it needs to restore your energy levels. If you work in a sedentary job, you can try to get in some physical activities such as hiking, biking, or in-line skating in order to have a change of pace. Doing something physical will help you to relax and it is a great way to give your mind a break from thinking so much. If you are bombarded with emails and phone calls at work, you can give your senses a break by turning off the television, computer, and other electronic devices while you are at home for some quiet time. If your profession involves lots of physical labor, then a rest for you could be something non-physical. You could take a relaxing break by finding a nice comfortable spot where you can sit or lie down. You could use your rest time to catch up on your reading or to do other intellectually demanding activities. What about Sleep? Why is it so Important?If you are trying to live a healthy lifestyle, I cannot stress enough the importance of sleep and rest. The right amount and quality of rest and sleep are essential! Did you know that a lot of important processes take place in your body when you are sleeping? While you rest and sleep your body cleanses, repairs, heals, replenishes and rejuvenates itself. 
Your body gets revived, the tissues of your brain get restored, new information and memories are stored, and your nerves get recharged. While you sleep, your body goes back and forth between periods of light and deep sleep. During the phase of light sleep which is known scientifically as REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep, your muscles relax completely and you dream. This is the time when your mind processes the things that happened in your life during the day. If you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t be able to fully process the day’s events. Lack of sleep can therefore lead to unresolved issues. How Much Sleep do I Need?Over a hundred years ago, people got an average of 9 – 10 hours of sleep. Now the average adult gets a lot less sleep. Adults get an average of only 4 – 6 hours of sleep each night.That means that a large number of us are actually sleep deprived! How much sleep you need depends on your age and health status. Infants, children, and yes, even teenagers need more sleep than full grown adults because growth happens at night while they are sleeping. Getting enough sleep is important for adults as well. That is the time when your brain grows intellectually. If you don’t get enough sleep, it will be so much harder for you to grow as a person. Sleep Requirements:
If you are thinking that you can get more done if you work longer hours and sleep less, think again. Research shows that going without enough rest and sleep actually makes you less efficient. Lack of sleep is harmful to your health and well-being. A lot of things may have changed in a hundred years, but our bodies haven’t changed. We still need plenty of rest and sleep. Because we are faced with a lot more stress we really do need a good nights rest. Does it Matter what Time I Go to Sleep?This may surprise you, but the best time to go to bed (even if you are a full grown adult) is between the hours of 8 PM and 10 PM. Yes, you read that right.The hours before midnight are indeed very valuable. Simply put, getting into bed a few hours before midnight is great for your health because every hour of sleep that you get before midnight is worth 2 hours after midnight. If you realize that you’ve been skimping on sleep and are now thinking that you should sleep extra-long hours to catch up, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news.... You cannot catch up on missed sleep. In fact, some research shows that getting too much sleep (e.g. more than 9 hours) may actually be harmful to your health. So, do try to stick to the recommended 7 or 8 hours each night. If you are suffering from an illness, then ignore what you just read. As I mentioned previously, anyone who is recovering from an illness needs all the rest and sleep they can get. How can Lack of Sleep Affect Me?If you are not getting enough sleep, your body will not be able to rebuild itself and recharge itself properly. Your body will begin to suffer. Here are some symptoms that are common with lack of sleep:
From this list, you can see quite clearly that missing out on sleep is not conducive to your health, happiness, or success! According to the research, not getting enough rest and sleep can even shorten your life. Lack of sleep can also put you at higher risk for accidents, especially if you are experiencing delayed reaction times and poor concentration. Tips for Getting Enough Rest and SleepIf you are not getting enough rest and sleep, here are some tips that may help you out:
Follow these tips and you'll be on your way to getting more rest and sleep in no time. Your body and mind will thank you. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 Go to 8 Rules for Healthy Living Return from Rest and Sleep to Natural Health Restored
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