Why You Need to Make Sleep More of A Priority
Inside: Sleep is important, and the lack of it can cause lots of issues. Learn these important sleep facts to get you aiming for better sleep!
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Are you one of the 20-40 million people that have either chronic or occasional sleep problems?
Maybe every night you toss and turn or wake up at 3 a.m. and can’t get back to sleep? Or maybe your issue is you can’t fall asleep?
Perhaps your sleep is so bad that you need to take an over-the-counter-medication or even a prescribed medication to help you get forty winks.
Friend, I’ve been there. I’ve gone through bouts of insomnia over the last few years and have dealt with all the issues listed above.
It happened after the birth of baby number five. About a week after he was born, I couldn’t fall asleep.
At night I would spend my time looking at the ceiling while the rest of the household was in dreamland. I couldn’t sleep during the day either. My problem was I couldn’t shut off my active mind.
Not getting sleep is a major problem!
Sleep affects everything. Have you noticed if you haven’t been sleeping well your mood is all over the place? One moment you’re irritable, the next you’re mad, and it becomes an emotional roller coaster that’s hard to get off.
Important Sleep Facts to Get You Prioritizing Sleep
While there is variety in how much sleep we each need, the usual span is 6-10 hours of sleep. Some do better around 6, and others need their 10 hours.
Sleep allows for our body to relax and rejuvenate although our brain is constantly active even in sleep.
The amount of sleep we need changes throughout our lives.
Not getting enough sleep directly corresponds to an increase in mortality.
As you can see, getting sleep is important.
How Do We Deal with Life When We Aren’t Sleeping Well
One of the biggest ways a lack of sleep is a problem is how we look at it.
Have you ever had a bad night of sleep and then found yourself thinking or even saying, “tomorrow is going to stink because I’m going to be tired!” or “I’m going to be in such a bad mood tomorrow since I didn’t sleep last night!”
And what happened?
The next day was bad, and you were tired and crabby from the lack of sleep.
Here’s the thing, humans can miss out on sleep for a few nights without a lot of harm done.
But the way we think about it can cause more problems than just the lack of sleep.
We might find ourselves using the lack of sleep as an excuse to be crabby and nasty to others whereas if we just looked differently at it, we could overcome it.
Mindset is super important when it comes to really anything.
If I tell myself I didn’t sleep well last night, but the day will still be good, and even if I’m tired, I can still accomplish things and remain on my A-game, the day will go better.
What Does God Say About Sleep
God rested after the six days of creation.
Sleep must be important to God also because the first mention of sleep happened in the Garden with Adam.
21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs[a] and closed up the opening.
Sleep was God’s idea and a blessing for us.
One-third of our lives is spent sleeping. God designed it to be this way because we need our rest and rejuvenation.
Jesus in the New Testament modeled for us how we are to serve and work, but then take time to rest and sleep.
As we can see rest is a part of following Christ. We can find peace in Jesus to lay aside our concerns and get that shut eye.
The truth to comfort us is: God never sleeps and always has us, so we can get cozy in our beds and close our eyes.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
Tired minds don’t plan well. Sleep first, plan later.” – Walter Reisch
Throughout this Sleep series, we will cover these topics.
- Why Do I Have Sleep problems
- Why Sleep Medications Aren’t A Long-Term Solution
- How to Change Your Lifestyle and Get More Sleep
- How to Use Essential Oils to Get the Best Sleep
To learn more about what I used to start sleeping naturally!
Such a good topic to talk on, Julie! I like how you devoted thought to delving into what God has to say about sleep because that’s certainly not something we think about often. Yet God designed our bodies to need rest and sleep to regenerate cells at night.
I also like that you’ll be discussing the cons to long term use of sleeping meds. I’ve had some horrible side effects from sleeping pills years ago and since, have tried to find natural solutions like L-theanine, melatonin, and lavender essential oil.
I used to resent sleep. It kept me from doing what I wanted to accomplish. Now I love it. My mind still roils through the night sometimes, but peace comes through Christ. Thanks and God bless!
Some nights sleep arrives easily. Some nights sleep won’t come. Last night was one of those nights. My mind would not turn off. I kept thinking of things on my “to do” list. I finally relaxed and gave my worries to Him and then, I slept peacefully.
Melissa- laying our burdens and worries over to Him is comforting!
Sleep is critical! God calls us to rest. It also helps strengthen our bodies, hearts, minds and souls against temptation.
Sleep is a high priority for me. I like your focus on the physical and emotional side effects of sleep deprivation. Such a good quote here – “Tired minds don’t plan well. Sleep first, plan later.” – Walter Reisch. Great post!
Lisa- glad you make it a high priority!
It’s so true that our mindset can change our day more than our physical state! What a great reminder to focus our mind on Christ and take all thoughts captive to Him. Thankfully, I’ve never struggled with insomnia, but there are those nights when I just can’t seem to fall asleep. I’m thankful I can rest in Jesus during those times and know He’ll carry me through the next day!
Excellent post! Sleep affects so much – my mood, focus, ability to be patient and kind – even my ability to drive safely. I push the envelope trying to get more done – thank you for the reminder of God’s gift and design for rest and replentishment.
Sleep is one thing that I’m working on this year…the quantity and quality. Even if I only get 6 hours of quality sleep I function much better than if I toss and turn for 8 hours.
Afi- so glad you’re putting thought into it and finding what your body needs!
Afi- so glad you’re working on it and are finding what your body needs!
OH man… this is so me! Sometimes I struggle with sleep – especially when I’m busy because I think of it as “waste of time” – I mean it’s so unproductive around the house and as far as work is concerned – ha!
But as you shared – it can color everything we do.. make us cranky & after all it is God’s design, so who are we to reject how He created us to be?
Looking forward to more of this much needed series!!
Christina- yes, it can! Lack of it makes all of life rough!