Confession.

For the last year, yes YEAR, this has been my biggest struggle.  I routinely go to bed around midnight (or later) and get up around 6 am. It’s starting to show.  Literally.  My skin is duller than before, I have more breakouts, I get frequent headaches, and I can’t remember my name half the time.  Kidding.  I do know, I don’t have the clarity I should.  Not too mention, I’m less patient and overall just feeling “run down” much of the time.

Time for a priority shift.

I must sleep more.

Maybe this is why I'm not getting enough sleep?

Benefits of Sleep

1. Our bodies repair themselves during the night.  Those strength training workouts?  We build muscle at rest not during the workout.

2. Improved metabolic function.  There is evidence that links regular quality sleep with weight loss.

3. Increased performance, creativity, ability to learn, memory, and mental clarity.

4. It’s called beauty sleep for good reason.  That is when the majority of cell turn over happens and our bodies repair themselves from the stresses of the day.  (See #1.)

5. Positive outlook and decreased likelihood of mood disorders.

6. Improved immunity

7. A well rested person is more likely to workout regularly and pass by those cookies at the office.

8. In my experience, being well rested also leads to a better body image.

9. Decreased likelihood of being in an accident.

10. Longevity.  One study showed that people who slept 6.5 – 7.5 hours lived longer than those who slept less than 6.5 hours or more than 8 hours.

So how much sleep should we be getting.  Well the above study suggests 6.5- 7.5 hours.  Others say 8 – 9 hours.  My theory is my body will let me know when it’s well rested.  I feel my best when I get between 7-8 hours and anything less than 6 and I feel half zombie.

What about you?  Do you sleep enough?  Anyone else notice a connection between body image and sleep?

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

Check out our family’s adventures at New School Nomads as we plan to take a year long road trip through the United States!

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The post 31 Days to a Better Body Body: Day 5 – Get Your ZZZZZZZZZZZs appeared first on Girl Heroes.

Up early today. Not enough sleep…ugh. I need to give my body more time to rest and restore and here I am up at a quarter after ten. I know it’s not that late but I’m an early riser.  I have a hard time sleeping in even when my kids aren’t home.  As I said earlier, I am spending waaaayy too much time online “researching”. While I’m finding valuable information and it is a necessity since I can’t afford a trainer right now, it is taking up a lot of time. Plus, seeing all the pictures of the competitors is sort of freaking me out. After looking at all their ripped bodies, I have to keep reminding myself I’m competing to LOSE not to get ripped.  That’s not to say I don’t want muscles because I do.  It just that, for most people, it takes a long time and A LOT of work to see that sort of muscle growth.  So ladies, who worry about “bulking up”, (and I used to be one of you), you WON’T unless you are genetically inclined, which most women are not or you put TONS of effort, way more than you’re likely to do even when you feel like you’re training your azz off, or you take drugs.  I got over that fear and I’m going to enjoy the benefits and results of weight training.

The post Rest = Recovery appeared first on Girl Heroes.