Some of us love to step outside, refreshed from a night of restful, uninterrupted sleep, to catch the first rays of the early morning sun and watch them dance on surfaces around us. Others, even when not well-rested due to a one-off event or bad sleep routines, still get out almost automatically for the day’s run in spite of the sluggishness dragging them down. Well-rested or not, it appears that there is something about the newness or beginning of the day that serves to all as a wake-up call.
Some people get excited at new beginnings – I am certainlyone of them!
The start of a new year can elicit a variety of emotions, from intense excitement to absolute disinterest, as well as everything in between.
New years are typically a time full of opportunities and hopes. It’s understandable why so many people are making New Year’s resolutions as the New Year draws near. People are dreaming, making plans, reviewing and revising Dreamers, planners, reviewers, and revisers are all active. Our health and wellbeing are a subject worth thinking about that would be terrible to ignore.
Studies have shown that the key pillars of health include sleep, exercise and healthy eating. These are all modifiable lifestyle behaviours, and when continuously practiced, they develop into satisfying habits.
What is it that directs our behaviours and actions? It is our thought processes, in which these things take root. Meanwhile, our thoughts derive their contents from our memories, experiences, assimilated information and imaginations. Habits can be intentionally created by actively affecting our cognitive processes through the acquisition of knowledge, having experiences, creating memories, and envisioning
People have frequently asked how best to form good habits and which of the pillars to prioritize, as we easily lack the time and ability to apply all of them adequately.
The answer is simple: “Prioritize sleep and ensure others are not neglected.” By making sleep a priority and combining itwith a balanced diet and regular exercise, you will improve your physical and mental well–being, and set yourself up for a long and happy life. Has it ever been suggested that you work out more, eat better, cut down on stress or sleep more? Well, now I re-echo this call to action. This New Year, resolve to prioritize sleep by adopting good sleep habits.
Intentionally forming good sleep habits is also doable! We just need to cultivate a sleep-focused mindset by embracing sleep education such as the type we share in our weekly publications on ‘Quality Sleep and Healthy Living’ by Vitafoam®. We should also put the information into practice, in order to gain experiences we can build upon. The practice could be any of the options to make your sleeping environment comforting and sleep-inducing: qualitymattresses and pillows, darkness, pleasing scent, calming sounds, cool temperature, etc. It can also include practiceswhich ensure a healthy brain like consistently drinking excess water, regularly eating a healthy diet in just-enough quantities, regularly performing SAFE exercises, and avoiding smoking, excess alcohol and stimulants like caffeine. With these, one would then have rich memories to draw from and supportive imaginations to generate, which would meet with the acquired information and experiences to shape our thoughts towards the adoption of good sleep habits.
Here is a stark reality: poor sleep habits, which are just the lack of good ones, can negatively affect your motivation and impulse control. So, if you’re struggling to accomplish a goallike cultivating good sleep habits and can’t figure out why, try repairing your sleep habits and then giving it another go.
Let us remember that when you sleep, where you sleep and how you sleep affect your mental health, physical well-being and living a healthy life. We all need quality sleep to be set for productivity in our endeavours.
Do you need further information on the above subject? Are you looking for ways to maintain quality sleep for general well-being and healthy living? Remember, a doctor is an appropriate person to offer relevant advice for the maintenance of quality sleep and solution to sleep difficulties. Do you want to contact the Orthopaedic Sleep Consultant, Dr Charles Uzodimma, kindly send your request tosleepinfo@vitafoam.com.ng OR Whatsapp 08129982143.
Vitafoam Nigeria Plc is the first foam manufacturing company in Nigeria to partner with a Sleep Expert in educating Nigerians on Quality Sleep for Healthy Living. They are truly passionate about quality sleep, healthy living and the general well-being of Nigerians. Vitafoam is proudly Nigerian and constantly supports Nigerians with consistent quality products for comfort and well-being. With Vitafoam, you don’t just sleep, they give you the comfort that gets you recharged. To learn more about Vitafoam, visit www.vitafoamng.com
