A good night’s sleep is an essential ingredient to a healthy lifestyle. By making sleep a priority and combining this with a balanced diet and regular exercise, you will improve your physical and mental wellbeing, and set yourself up for a long and happy life.
Sleep well
During sleep our body rests and repairs. To give yourself the best chance of being mentally and physically ready for the next day it is important to get an adequate amount of sleep. With quality sleep you will be happier and better prepared to handle the challenges of the day. The amount of quality sleep actually required, varies for each individual but can be influenced by factors such age and health.
Exercise – Get moving
A lot of people don’t see exercise as a priority, however some of its many benefits might help to change your mind. Regular exercise decreases the risk of health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, strokes, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer and arthritis.
Exercise will improve your mood because it stimulates chemicals in your brain that make you feel happier and less stressed and can help you burn through extra energy that may otherwise inhibit your ability to get to sleep.
Diet – Eat well
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the information about what you should or should not eat. The most important thing to remember is to consume whole foods such as vegetables, eggs, lean proteins, nuts and fruits. Oily, sugary and refined foods contain little to no benefits for your body. Stay away from processed foods such as packaged snacks and fast-foods, and see how much of a difference this makes to how you feel on a daily basis.
When we eat well, we are more likely to enjoy a better night’s sleep. At the same time, when we’re well-slept, we’re more likely to make better food choices. For more detail on how to eat well to sleep well read our article here.
