Sleep Well For Better Health
If we want our body to function efficiently, we need to give it the rest that it needs. Our body needs to have this rest, so it has the energy to perform all sorts of tasks — from walking to digesting food. But with the busy lifestyles that we live, adequate rest can be a problem for some people.
If you leave your workplace late at night and feel that you need to try to fit in your training program in the day’s schedule, remember that you do not have to train every day. This will take the pressure off you somewhat.
You may be able to train earlier in the day, or, maybe, fit in a training session of some sort at lunch time or before work. Many gyms these days are open very early in the morning until late at night, and, in some cases, 24 hours.
This can also often be a tough call, but it is always possible to fit in training sessions if you really want the results.
It is also important to remember that, if you push yourself too much, you may open yourself up to the risk of injury. So, this is all about balance.
The best advice that I can give you on this issue is that you, as an individual, should learn to “listen to your body.” You will know if you need to rest and you will likely know if you have not done enough. The more you get involved with your training and exercises, the more these factors will become apparent.
If you have not trained before and do lead a busy lifestyle, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting a program. Especially if this will affect your rest periods. I will admit that getting enough sleep can be difficult though.
People can (and DO) have sleeping problems. This can be detrimental to your metabolism boosting goals. Experts believe that people with insomnia, for instance, actually lower their metabolism as their body has not got the energy to digest food, and so their metabolism slows to a crawl. This can leave an insomniac feeling very lethargic and tired all of the time.
If you do have trouble sleeping, there are a number of things that you can try:
Try not to train late at night. Training before you go to bed can “wake you up.” Your body may come alive during the night and be ready for exercise, and it can take a while for it to “calm down.”
Try having a hot bath.
Have some warm milk.
It is also a good idea not to eat right before you go to bed, if you are having trouble sleeping.
You could even try simple stretching exercises (like yoga). If you can get relaxed before you go to bed, this will help you rest a great deal.