Prioritising Sleep in a Fast-Paced World + tool ↓
In today’s relentless “rat race,” where productivity often takes precedence over well-being, sleep has become a neglected cornerstone of health. However, more than ever, we need to slow down and give sleep the priority it deserves.
Here's why getting enough sleep is critical and how it impacts various aspects of our health:
As a practitioner, I see daily how many people look for health solutions but ignore a very important one – and no-cost one – SLEEP.
Anna Wilson
Natural Health Practitioner
The Hormonal Symphony of Sleep
Sleep is the foundation of hormonal balance. During deep sleep, the body releases growth hormones that are essential for cell repair, muscle growth, and overall rejuvenation. Poor sleep disrupts cortisol, the stress hormone, and insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. This imbalance can lead to increased hunger and cravings, making weight management more challenging.
Sleep and Weight Management
Inadequate sleep doesn’t just leave you feeling tired; it also impacts your waistline. Sleep deprivation is linked to elevated levels of ghrelin (the hunger hormone, fat deposition and growth hormone release) and reduced levels of leptin (the satiety hormone). This imbalance leads to overeating and weight gain. Furthermore, lack of sleep hampers your energy levels, making regular exercise less appealing and harder to sustain.
The Role of Sleep in Women’s Health
For women, sleep is particularly vital. It plays a crucial role in maintaining menstrual health, fertility, and emotional stability. Sleep deprivation can exacerbate PMS symptoms, disrupt ovulation, and even increase the risk of conditions like PCOS. Additionally, women undergoing menopause often experience sleep disruptions, which can worsen other symptoms.
Digital Overload and the Need to Disconnect
The constant influx of digital stimuli—social media, emails, and notifications—leaves our brains in overdrive. Sleep is the only time our minds can fully process and detox from this overload. Without it, cognitive function, memory, and decision-making skills suffer. The glymphatic system, our brain’s cleaning mechanism, operates primarily during deep sleep, clearing out toxins that accumulate during the day. Skipping sleep means skipping this essential cleaning process.
A Simple Solution: BACK TO THE OLD TIMES
The Pen-and-Paper Sleep Tracker
To bring back the art of slowing down and prioritising self-care, I encourage you to a refreshingly simple solution: a pen-and-paper sleep tracker. Forget apps and devices that add to digital clutter. Instead, keep a single printed page near your bed to record your daily sleep hours. This simple practice fosters awareness and accountability, helping you track patterns and identify areas for improvement.
By using this tool, you’re not just measuring sleep; you’re embracing a culture of mindfulness, self-care, and sleep hygiene.
Download a simple, printable sleep tracker to start your journey towards better rest and well-being.
Download Your Sleep Tracker here
(different colours options available) - instant access.
Take the first step to slowing down and making sleep a priority in your life.
with Gratitude
Anna Wilson - Natural Living
Natural Health Practitioner
