SLEEP: God's Gift so the Body and Mind Can Restore
Getting eight hours of uninterrupted sleep can be frustrating for many people. In our world of hurry, electronics, and constant frenzy, we hardly sleep as our forefathers did. Instead, we surround our sleep area with cell phones, monitors, tablets, and most any other electronic device imaginable. The blue light emitted from these machines messes with our serotonin secretion. And what is melatonin? It is our sleep hormone.
How do we address it?
Blue glass filters for monitors, and even eye glasses, are available. Do an Internet search or head to your favorite retail outlet and see what they have for you.
But here’s the thing: don’t use these filters before noon each day. Why? Because blue light filtering in the mornings is counter-productive and impairs the dissipation of melatonin. Theoretically, this could actually induce daytime sleepiness.
Instead, do your best to get some sunshine each morning to help you be awake, refreshed, and alert. Have your coffee, tea (or your beverage of choice) on the patio. That sunshine is loaded, of course, with Vitamin D. It is God’s gift to us every day and He always knows what’s best for the us. After all, He created you in His image.
Some common sense tricks to help us get a restful night’s sleep include:
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule
- Magnesium
- Block out as much light as possible
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed
- Have a bedtime routine (and don’t forget to include nighttime prayers)
- Stay away from screens (call phones televisions, etc.)
- Eat a sleep-promoting food prior to bed (banana, cherries, almonds, warm goat’s milk)
- Essential oils
- A comfortable pillow and mattress
We’ll continue this series of low cost methods to stay healthy. If you have any questions, comments, or know of any cool ways to have a better night’s sleep, please leave a comment below.
God Bless,
Cathy