Snoozed alarms, three coffees by 10am, afternoon naps and sugary drinks and treats to keep you going. Sound familiar? We understand! Having a rubbish sleep or struggling to unwind in the evening can be hard if you’re stressed or you’re on the go all the time.
But did you know that sleep deprivation can have harmful effects on your physical and mental wellbeing? That’s right, recovery is just as important as activity.
At Heed Life, we believe, with enough sleep you can feel unstoppable. You’ll jump out of bed, you’re more likely to make healthier choices throughout the day and you’ll be more productive – sleep really does work wonders. However, for some, a blissful night’s sleep isn’t easy and it can also feel impossible to achieve.
But what’s the secret to a good night’s sleep? We’ll cover all the tips and tricks you need to know in this post. From the benefits of sleep to the perfect solution for dreamy Z’s using our Heed Life CBD Oils.
We’ll cover:
The Importance of Sleep
Just like eating well and exercising, sleep is another essential part of looking after your body. It shouldn’t be underestimated and it can help a whole host of things including concentration and keeping your heart functioning and healthy.
Your internal body clock controls your sleep cycle. From waking up to experiencing feelings of tiredness throughout the day. This clock operates on a 24-hour cycle known as the circadian rhythm. If this cycle is broken or you don’t fall asleep successfully in the evening, it can affect everything – from your mood to your physical wellbeing.
For most adults, at least seven hours of sleep each night is needed for proper cognitive and behavioural functions. An insufficient amount of sleep can lead to serious repercussions. If you’re struggling to sleep or you’re unsure how to get sufficient sleep, a few lifestyle changes may be all it takes to get you on your way to feeling well-rested.
The Benefits of Sleep
Whether you’re looking to improve your physical or mental wellbeing, you deserve to be completely in control. If lack of sleep is holding you back, it might be time to make some changes. Sleep is a free way to level up your life and get one step closer to achieving your goals – here’s why.
Increased Recovery
Had an intense gym session? Want to function at the top of your game during your next workout? Sleep can help massively when it comes to muscle recovery and energy levels. Yes, hydrating and eating well helps with recovery but without adequate sleep, these can suffer too.
Sleeping gives your body the necessary time it needs to restore itself. Sleep ensures muscles grow and repair and sleep can also help with illness prevention – meaning, no gym sessions or yoga classes will need to be missed. Sleep is the key to optimal recovery.
Improves Concentration
With adequate sleep, you’ll be ticking off your to-do’s, you’ll be more focused on your daily tasks and you won’t always feel the afternoon slump.
So, getting plenty of sleep can help you stay sharp and focused all day long. Being productive is a brilliant feeling and you’ll be destined to succeed if you manage your sleep well.
Appetite Control
If you’re not sleeping well, your body will naturally crave food to keep your energy levels up – rather than naturally enhancing them through sleep. If you’re wanting to feel more confident and fuel your body appropriately, then it can all come down to the quality of sleep you’re getting.
Sleep plays a key role in regulating hunger and thirst cues in the body. If you get enough sleep, your body will be able to regulate your energy appropriately and you’ll continue to feel energised without the need to overeat or choose unhealthy foods for a source of energy (like those high in sugar). Fuel your body with sleep and you’ll be on the right track.
Happier Mental Health
As well as physical recovery, sleep also helps us mentally recover. Sleep and mental wellbeing go hand in hand. Living with a mental health problem can affect how well you sleep, and poor sleep can have a negative effect on your mental health.
Getting adequate rest and sleep in the evening will not only increase your positive energy but you’ll also feel more equipped to deal with daily stressors. When you’re feeling stressed, your body releases ‘stress hormones’, more commonly known as cortisol – these can wreak havoc with your sleep and keep you awake when you should be sleeping. Getting a good night’s sleep will relax your body and your mind – lowering your body’s natural stress response.
Lack of sleep doesn’t just crop up from nowhere, there are many triggers so it’s important to be aware of them so you can take control of your wellbeing.
What Affects Sleep?
Increased Stress
The stress in our daily lives can cause so many issues when it comes to relaxing and getting enough sleep. Whether we’re worried about an exam, we’re under pressure at work or we’re trying to balance our daily commitments – it can be a lot for us to deal with.
When we’re stressed, our body releases stress hormones which can increase our heart rate and even our energy levels – not in a good way. So sleeping can be impossible when we’re on overdrive fuelled by worry and adrenaline. De-stressing and having control of your stress will not only help you gain your life back but you’ll be able to schedule that sleep in the best way.
No Routine
Napping in the afternoon, staying up late to watch Netflix or irregular work patterns can all throw us out of a routine. Routines not only give us a sense of purpose but they’re also fundamental to achieving a good sleep routine in the evening.
To keep in line with your circadian rhythm, it’s important to establish a healthy routine. No napping – especially in the afternoon. Establish a consistent bedtime, even at weekends if possible. Exercise regularly, limit caffeine intake and alcohol in the evening. As soon as you have a routine nailed down, you’ll become more in tune with what your body needs and thrives from. It’s a rewarding process, be patient, it’ll be worth it.
Blue Light Exposure
Been up late scrolling? Reading a book on your Kindle or iPad? Yeah, they can help us get tired eyes, but actually, using tech before bed can be doing you more harm than good. While light in the evening, of any kind, can suppress the secretion of melatonin (a sleep hormone). Blue light at night affects our ability to drift off even more.
The blue light that’s emitted from screens can delay the release of melatonin, it can increase the brain’s alertness at night and it can reset your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) to a later time. It’s best to stop using all tech 45 minutes before bed. Not only will this give you enough time to unwind, but it’ll give your eyes the well-deserved rest they need. Swap this tech time for reading a proper book or doing your skincare routine.
Anxiety
Racing thoughts increased heart rate and worry about what tomorrow will bring can cause our minds and bodies to halt and fester in worry and anxiety. Suffering from anxiety can be a vicious cycle of worrying about the unknown but also worrying about what has already happened.
Everyone will experience or will have already experienced the feelings of anxiety, but when they’re at their worst, they can even impact your sleep. Whether you’re nervous about an exam or you’re experiencing big changes in your life, plenty of situations can cause negative emotions. It’s important to seek support, learn habits to help relieve stress and have a structured relaxing routine in the evening.
Now we know the benefits of sleep and what can negatively impact our relaxation. It’s important that if you do struggle to drift off, you have the tools you need to combat this. That’s where the help of Heed Life CBD comes in.
CBD and Sleep
CBD oil isn’t just for aches and pains or anxiety – it can help support your sleep patterns too.
Sleep is a modern-day luxury but it doesn’t need to be. We don’t need to ‘wish’ for it because we can generate it ourselves with the help of some game-changing products.
At Heed Life, we want to help people live better lives. With the help of sleep, your relationships will change, you’ll tick off those PB’s at the gym and you’ll be able to excel at work and uni. But how do you get the sleep you’ve dreamed of? No, not a babysitter or a luxurious holiday. The simple implementation of CBD every day.
Relax CBD Oil
We understand how hard it can be to relax after a long day. For this reason, we’ve created purpose-built products to help you drift off peacefully. Whether that’s calming your racing thoughts or helping you feel sleepy.
The Relax CBD Oil is 100 percent natural, legal and offers many benefits. From soothing your anxiety to helping you feel more relaxed overall. Your wellbeing is paramount – so the relaxation oil can help truly calm your mind, body and spirit. This oil is advised to be taken both morning and night – a little note of self-care.
Don’t worry, this oil is THC free, independently lab tested, 100 percent gluten-free and contains no GMO. Meaning no nasties but plenty of the good stuff you need for optimal recovery.
CBD Multivitamin Gummies
Want something a little easier to carry on the go? That’s why we’ve created our range of CBD Gummies – the perfect sleep companion but great for on-the-go too. They’re a convenient way of getting a small dose of CBD but without the hassle.
They’re just as effective as the oils and still contain natural ingredients that are purposefully built with you and your wellbeing in mind. Let’s not forget, they’re delicious too! So you’ll be more likely to remember to take these when they hit the sweet spot.
CBD Muscle Rub
Give your muscles the care and attention they deserve with a CBD muscle rub. A gentle massage in the evening can help relieve any tension your muscles may be feeling, especially if you focus on your pressure points or areas you might be holding stress – your calves or your shoulders are a great place to start.
Releasing this tension will allow your muscles to relax and your whole body will feel deeply rejuvenated ready for a peaceful sleep. Not only that, it’s the perfect self-care treat you deserve.
Prioritise Your Health and Wellbeing
So, how do you feel? Do you now know the importance of sleep? It’s crazy to think that if you implement a few strategies – you’ll be well on your way to claiming back your energy and excelling in all areas of your life.
CBD can easily be implemented into your existing routine so you won’t need to lose sleep worrying over that. However, if you’re still wondering which product might be best suited to you, you can take our FREE online quiz and discover which CBD product range is perfect for you.
We’re focused on ensuring everyone has the best chance of living their best life. Whether that’s mentally or physically – we all deserve to prioritise our well-being. For that reason, we’ve created a FREE Ebook for you to download. You’ll be able to learn all about the lifestyle tips that can help improve your overall wellness and wellbeing.