will feel fulfilled enough to truly enjoy giving of ourselves to others. We will be more productive at work, nicer to our children, and more satisfied with our love lives. Instead of these items feeling like chores that have to be completed, they will begin to feel like what makes our life worth living. If our glass is constantly running dry, how can we fill up the lives of those around us without feeling bitter, used up, and unappreciated? Along with eating paleo, I suggest that you begin to reprioritize your life, starting with getting enough sleep.
Sleep
What is enough sleep? Most folks need to sleep eight to nine hours every single night, and your sleep should be quality sleep, not simply time spent in bed. Lack of sleep is scientifically proven to cause or contribute to all major and minor health problems, and although it might feel as if there is not enough time in the day, forgoing sleep to tackle what has to be done is counterproductive to success. When you are no longer sleep deprived, your mental clarity and energy will make up for what appeared to be “lost time.”
Before you begin reprioritizing, the first question you should ask yourself is why? Why are you burning your candle at both ends? What is the importance of working yourself into a frazzled mess? Are you happy with your lifestyle? Are you feeling cared for and nurtured as much as you feel like you are caring for and nurturing the rest of the world?
If you are in tears by now because you know I am talking to you, I suggest it’s time to make a few changes. Start out small. Start by simply putting down whatever you are working on and going to bed. If falling asleep is an issue, think back on your day. What did you eat? Did you exercise? How much caffeine did you drink? Most people do not sleep well at night because of poor nutrition, too much caffeine, and lack of exercise. The truth is, if you are eating a paleo diet and exercising, you will begin to find it much easier to drift into a blissful slumber at night.
Most people feel as if they can “get by” on a minimal amount of sleep, but the truth is, we can actually go longer without food than we can go without sleep. If that did not ring loud and clear in your sleep deprived head, I’ll say it louder. You can go a month without eating and survive—if you do not sleep for a week, you’ll be dead !
Think about all your sleep-deprived nights, add those lost hours of sleep together, and please feel afraid enough to take this section seriously. Studies show that especially for women, lack of sleep contributes to illness and mental imbalance. This is not a great combination, especially when dealing with itty-bitty kids, careers, dogs, laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, exercising, living, laughing, and love making. If you are trying to maintain a paleo lifestyle and yet you ignore your need for sleep, the hormones that regulate appetite control are severely affected. As a result, things like sugar and caffeine cravings become more difficult to curb, making your judgment and decision making hazy, which is just another roadblock to keeping yourself on track.
Lack of sleep also contributes to depression, mood disorders, and anxiety. Well, duh! If you are unable to concentrate, keep falling asleep in your afternoon cup of coffee, find it hard to keep up with life, and fall off the paleo wagon over and over again because you feel as if you need that afternoon sugar pick-me-up, depression pretty much seems like a guarantee! Wouldn’t you rather tackle your daily list well rested in the morning, feel satisfied at the end of your day with what you have accomplished, crawl into bed at night with still enough energy left to tangle under the sheets with your honey, and know that the pile of bills or unwashed dishes will still be there in the morning?
When I ignore my need for rest, my sanity and health suffer tremendously. As a result, those who rely on my well-being suffer right along with me. It
Sleep
What is enough sleep? Most folks need to sleep eight to nine hours every single night, and your sleep should be quality sleep, not simply time spent in bed. Lack of sleep is scientifically proven to cause or contribute to all major and minor health problems, and although it might feel as if there is not enough time in the day, forgoing sleep to tackle what has to be done is counterproductive to success. When you are no longer sleep deprived, your mental clarity and energy will make up for what appeared to be “lost time.”
Before you begin reprioritizing, the first question you should ask yourself is why? Why are you burning your candle at both ends? What is the importance of working yourself into a frazzled mess? Are you happy with your lifestyle? Are you feeling cared for and nurtured as much as you feel like you are caring for and nurturing the rest of the world?
If you are in tears by now because you know I am talking to you, I suggest it’s time to make a few changes. Start out small. Start by simply putting down whatever you are working on and going to bed. If falling asleep is an issue, think back on your day. What did you eat? Did you exercise? How much caffeine did you drink? Most people do not sleep well at night because of poor nutrition, too much caffeine, and lack of exercise. The truth is, if you are eating a paleo diet and exercising, you will begin to find it much easier to drift into a blissful slumber at night.
Most people feel as if they can “get by” on a minimal amount of sleep, but the truth is, we can actually go longer without food than we can go without sleep. If that did not ring loud and clear in your sleep deprived head, I’ll say it louder. You can go a month without eating and survive—if you do not sleep for a week, you’ll be dead !
Think about all your sleep-deprived nights, add those lost hours of sleep together, and please feel afraid enough to take this section seriously. Studies show that especially for women, lack of sleep contributes to illness and mental imbalance. This is not a great combination, especially when dealing with itty-bitty kids, careers, dogs, laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, exercising, living, laughing, and love making. If you are trying to maintain a paleo lifestyle and yet you ignore your need for sleep, the hormones that regulate appetite control are severely affected. As a result, things like sugar and caffeine cravings become more difficult to curb, making your judgment and decision making hazy, which is just another roadblock to keeping yourself on track.
Lack of sleep also contributes to depression, mood disorders, and anxiety. Well, duh! If you are unable to concentrate, keep falling asleep in your afternoon cup of coffee, find it hard to keep up with life, and fall off the paleo wagon over and over again because you feel as if you need that afternoon sugar pick-me-up, depression pretty much seems like a guarantee! Wouldn’t you rather tackle your daily list well rested in the morning, feel satisfied at the end of your day with what you have accomplished, crawl into bed at night with still enough energy left to tangle under the sheets with your honey, and know that the pile of bills or unwashed dishes will still be there in the morning?
When I ignore my need for rest, my sanity and health suffer tremendously. As a result, those who rely on my well-being suffer right along with me. It
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