Rest up! May is Better Sleep Month and we’re here to remind you of the major benefits of prioritizing your sleep – giving you even more reason to hit that snooze button.
Benefits of Sleep that Might Just Surprise You
Strengthen Your Memory Skills
Sleep can help strengthen memories and your brain can even practice previously learned skills while you’re at rest.
Get That Inflammation Under Control
People who get less than six hours of sleep a night have seen higher blood levels of inflammatory proteins; one study found that C-reactive protein – which is associated with heart attack risk – was higher in people of the same category.
Get Your Creative Juices Flowing
Sleep helps reset your mind and restructure your memories, fostering potential for a creative-revamp. Researchers at Harvard University and Boston College found that people seem to strengthen the emotional components of a memory during sleep – so maybe “sleeping on it” is a good idea after all.
Relieve That Nagging Pain
Getting just the right amount of rest is believed to help with chronic pain, as many studies have given evidence that lack of sleep can lower your pain threshold.
Change Your Mindset
The pure power of rejuvenation (and waking up on the right side of the bed) can improve your mood and set the tone for the rest of your day. Just don’t over-do it on the R&R, or you could have health effects to the other end of the spectrum!
For those who (attempt to) sleep with back pain…
Listen up, restless sleepers! Back pain can become a big pain when trying to achieve your best night’s sleep. Here are some tips to get you through the night.
Back sleepers: place a pillow under your knees to maintain the normal curve of your back.
Stomach sleepers: sleeping on your stomach can be detrimental in this realm, but if you can’t shake your go-to position, try placing a pillow under your pelvis and lower abs to reduce some of the strain on your lower back.
Side sleepers: place a pillow between your knees as you rest. Try a body pillow for full coverage!
We spend about ONE THIRD of our lives sleeping – so let’s enjoy it! Let us know what YOU do to snooze deeper, longer and all-around better. Share your tips and tricks to your best night’s rest yet.
