Life today is fast-paced, exciting—and exhausting. Insomnia is epidemic. People are gulping down millions of sedatives and tranquilizers, desperate for rest that will restore their energies.
Why am I always tired?
You may have an illness, such as a cold or the flu, that is sapping your energy. Or you may be depressed.
Fatigue also sabotages creativity. Judgment suffers and efficiency goes. And if unrelieved, fatigue can culminate in exhaustion and full-scale depression.
| How does rest relate to these problems? |
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Rest allows your body to renew itself. Waste products are removed, repairs are effected, enzymes are replenished, energy is restored. |
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Rest aids in the healing of injuries, infections and other assaults on your body, including stress and emotional traumas. |
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Rest strengthens your body's immune system, helping protect you from disease. |
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Proper rest can add length to your life. In a large population study of health habits a few years ago, it was found that people who regularly slept seven to eight hours each night had lower death rates than those who averaged either less than seven hours or who slept longer. |
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How much rest do I need?
People need different kinds of rest, and a relaxing night's sleep is a good start. Newborn babies sleep from 16 to 20 hours, while young children need 10 to 12 hours. Adults vary widely in their requirements, but most do best on seven to eight hours per night.
People also need a change of pace. During World War II, Great Britain instituted a 74-hour work week but soon found that people could not maintain the pace. After experimenting, they found that a 48-hour workweek, with regular breaks, plus one day of rest each week, resulted in maximum efficiency.
| How can I sleep better? |
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Take frequent breaks during the workday. Walk around, get a drink of water, take some deep breaths. |
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Daily engage in 30 to 60 minutes of active exercise. Exercise relaxes, restores energy, helps banish depression, and combats nervous tension. |
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Maintain as regular a schedule as possible for going to bed, getting up, eating, and exercising. The body flourishes on regular rhythms. |
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Eat the evening meal at least four hours before bedtims. An empty, resting stomach is more conducive to quality rest. |
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Try a lukewarm (not a hot) bath. It is a helpful relaxation technique. |
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Count your blessings. Fill the mind with gratitude and thanksgiving. |
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A clear conscience and a grateful mind are the pillows to sleep on. |
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Rest is an important part of life's rhythm. And like a dancer, if we go wit our rhythms, we will be in tune with ourselves. |
