Chapter 5

The Importance of Winding Down

One of the things that people can never escape in this world is stress. In order for your body to be recharged for the next day’s challenges, you have to de-stress and get a good night’s sleep.

Sleeping is an important function in keeping the body strong and up for anything. To be specific, it is responsible for cellular repair, muscular repair, energy, memory, concentration, etc.

Constant sleep deprivation increases the body’s risk for having infections, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and other diseases. With the different distractions in life, having good quality sleep every night can be a difficult one for some people. Therefore, it is important to wind down.

The following are some of the best ways to wind down:

Turn Off What Must Be Turned Off: Two hours before bedtime, you have to turn off your computer and TV. Did you know that the stimulation coming from this kind of electromagnetic stress will keep your mind ticking into the late hours of the night, causing you to be more aggravated and stressed? Don’t abuse yourself, so just put off for tomorrow your online activities.

Pamper Yourself: After a hard day’s work, you need to pamper yourself by simply taking hot bath or shower. The warm water can relieve your achy and tired muscles. In order to soothe your entire body completely, you can also add in lavender shower gel into the tub. To make your bathing moment more special and invigorating, set the bathroom with scented candles. When you are done, apply your favorite lotion to your skin and go to bed. But don’t forget to dry your hair.

Breathe Deeply: Before going to bed, you need to engage in meditation or a deep breathing exercise. Doing so will aid in lowering your heart rate, thus resulting in a more relaxed and calm state of mind. In every deep and long breath you take, you can also have a chance to release all your physical and mental stress.

Take Time to Read: Before going to bed, try to read your favorite magazine or book. This will not just take your mind to a positive state, but will make you sleepy as well. Therefore, you will fall into deep slumber more easily.

Drink Tea: A hot tea prior to bed will surely soothe you and invigorate your senses. Its warmth will help slow the body’s system and lull you into deep sleep. Don’t ever dare to drink coffee because it will make you awake all night due to its high caffeine content.

One of the best ways to give yourself a treat is through winding down. By following the ideas mentioned in this chapter, you will surely have the most relaxing and deepest slumber ever. Why don’t you start this evening?