This may sound extremely counter productive but, your body actually works really hard when it’s resting. During deep sleep, your body works to repair muscle, organs, and other cells. Chemicals that strengthen your immune system start to circulate, and your body literally begins to heal itself. Various processes are at work that help everything from your cardiovascular system to your brain function at their best. It’s because of this that getting enough sleep can improve your overall health, which may help boost your longevity.

What Makes You Live Longer?

Rest is ESSENTIAL. You see the thing is, most of us go to bed at night and sleep … but few of us are engaging in deep sleep that actually results in a restful night so that our bodies can do their jobs by charging up.

Men who regularly sleep well could live almost 5 years longer than those who do not, while women could benefit by up to 2.5 years, research suggests. And they could also enjoy better health during their lives.

What is A Good Quality Sleep?

Well there are many different factors, but here are the most important ones:

• Ideal sleep duration of seven to eight hours a night
• Difficulty falling asleep no more than two times a week
• Trouble staying asleep no more than two times a week
• Not using any sleep medication
• Feeling well rested after waking up at least five days a week

Establishing healthy sleep patterns early on will set you up for maintaining a healthy sleep routine later in life.

So parents, this is the sign to reinforce a bedtime routine so that your child can have optimal performance in his or her everyday life.

The same goes for you; whether you’ve had a poor relationship with bedtime, it is time to redesign your routine for rejuvenating rest.

5 Tips for Better Sleep

• Build a bedtime routine that is consistent so that your body adapts.
• Sleep in a dark, relaxing, and calm environment. Set the temperatures to where your body is comfortable for optimal sleep.
• Turn your phones on “Do Not Disturb” and remove non-essential electronic devices from your room so that you aren’t overstimulated before bedtime. This especially means not falling asleep with the TV on or your computer in your lap!
• Avoid heavy meals, caffeine and additional sugar a few hours before bedtime to feel rejuvenated.
• Move your body. The more you move your body the more you burn energy making bedtime feel that much sweeter.

Summary

Good sleep is the essential key to living longer. You have the power to develop a healthy bedtime routine that promotes longevity. What will you do with such a golden tool?

If you’re struggling to find more insight on your health concerns, click the link HERE and take our 3-minute TDN Quiz to find your groove in your new health journey.