The Health Advocate | Amway

Posted by: Andy Gamm for Joan Julian

I really enjoy a good night’s sleep and in my lifetime I’ve always been able to sleep easily.  They say you should indulge in good habits of getting to bed at the same time each night, even on the weekends.  To get the best sleep it is also suggested to sleep in a cool, dark room.  This means lowering your thermostat in your house at night which also has heating cost saving benefits too.   The curtains should be closed to avoid those moonlit nights or street lights beaming through that may cause you to stay awake.  The clock, you know, the ones with a digital light display that could land planes, should be dimmed or better yet turned around.  Of course your mattress should be one of quality and suited to your needs.  After all, you spend a third of your life here.   And despite doing all these things to promote an environment of relaxation your partner could be the culprit to sleepless nights if they snore or steal the blankets as my husband claims I do.

 I know of friends who survive on 4-5 hours sleep while others claim 9 hours in their preferred norm.  There are even studies to show that teenagers need extra sleep so parents, it’s not really that they are lazy, sleeping in till noon on weekends.  At least that’s my daughter’s story.  But so many things happen in your sleep that we are not consciously aware.  Rest is what your body needs to recharge.  When you sleep you’re taking in your day’s nutrients and your body is repairing itself.   A single night without proper sleep can lead to the inability to mentally or physically function properly the next day not to mention you’ll look sluggish (hence the term beauty sleep) and let’s face it…we’re just plain cranky without our sleep.  Research shows that chronic sleep deprivation leads to a whole serious of potential medical conditions including stress and heart disease.  It can also lead to unnecessary spending on the home shopping channel late at night!    So benefit your health (and pocketbook) by getting your sound sleep each night.

 For the occasional times you need a little help, NUTRILITE® Sleep Health can come to your aid.   It’s a safe, natural way to fall asleep faster and stay asleep.  As I write this I am having a rather unusual sleepless night and thus opted to write this blog seeing as staring at the ceiling wasn’t helping and did I mention I was out of NUTRILITE Sleep Health?.  As teens we used to boast about “pulling an all-nighter” staying awake, but as I look at the clock in the wee hours unable to sleep, an all-nighter is clearly not on my agenda of achievements this evening, or rather this morning.   It’s 4:30am have a few hours to catch what’s left of my beauty sleep.  Thank goodness for ARTISTRY® concealers!

 Joan is the Health & Beauty Marketing Supervisor for Amway Canada.  She is a wife and proud mom of two wonderful teenage daughters.  Joan enjoys exploring new healthy recipes, photography and working out to funky tunes while on her elliptical.