In this mini-series to help support you through the exhaustion that has set in for some people due to the global pandemic, we are focusing on SLEEPĀ š“. Has your sleeping pattern/ability changed during lockdown?
Sleep is an important time that the body needs to recharge, repair and regenerate ready for our busy, waking hours. Lack of sleep can have a massive impact on our mental and physical state. It can contribute to weight gain, exhaustion, adrenal fatigue, increased sensitivity to pain, inability to prioritise, reduced cognitive function and many more issues.
Sleep is more vital than food for sustaining life. We can apparently last 2 months without eating (not going to try that one) but only 11 days without sleep (definitely not trying that one either).
When we are under stress for a long time the fight or flight hormones that keep us on alert during the day and that should diminish in the evening don’t drop as much as we need them to in order to have a deep restful sleep, so we are constantly like a meerkat at the top of a mound, keeping watch for danger.
If you don’t sleep well do you know what the reason is? Is it because of busy mind, a snoring partner, restless legs, small children, health issues, menopause, the room is too light, needing to pee, etc that interrupts your sleep. Have a think and try to find the cause of your restlessness. If your sleep pattern has changed since lockdown then it might be because of stress, changes in food choices, or too much alcohol maybe. It’s always helpful to know the WHY as it’s then easier to work out the cure.
In the next blog post I will cover a few key things you can do to help combat a bad nights sleep.
Caroline Westoll Nourish & Nurture 