Beautyrest, Shut eye, Catching some zzz’s. 

Sleep goes by many names, but no matter what you call it, it's important! Getting a good night rest makes us feel energetic and rejuvenated- ready to take on the world!  But few things in life are as frustrating as tossing and turning to no avail, feeling as though we never slept. Groggy and lethargic, we limp through our day awaiting the blissful moment our head will hit the pillow yet again. According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, our body regulates sleep similar to the way it regulates eating, drinking and breathing. Our bodies are hard wired to tell us when we are hungry and thirsty- a very easy need to recognize and appease! Sleep is very much the same. When our batteries are running low, our brain sends us signals that we’re tired, and it's our job to recognize these signals to make sure we get adequate rest. 

Why do we sleep? There are many theories as to why we sleep. The first- it's evolutionary. To save energy and hide from predators we developed the ability to remain motionless. Another is that while we sleep, our metabolism changes, allowing us to conserve energy which could be advantageous if energy sources, like food, are scarce. A more well-known theory is that our body restores itself while sleeping. Science has found that our bodies perform many functions while sleeping, such as muscle growth, tissue repair and the release of growth hormones. The last theory is that our brains reorganize while we’re sleeping, allowing memories to be stored and transferred to long term.  

How much sleep do we need?On average, we spend a third of our lives sleeping. Many of us worry we aren't getting enough sleep. The average adult needs roughly 7-9 hours each night-  women tend to clock in on the lower end at 7 hrs. Studies (National Sleep Foundation) suggest that due to mulitasking, it may not be enough! While multitasking can be necessary to get through our hectic and busy days, it’s very tiring for our minds! Our brain needs that extra hour of sleep to recover and prepare for the next day.

How can you maximize sleep? Many of us struggle! In fact, 30% of people have had issues with insomnia. So what can you do to ensure sweet dreams?

• First, make your bedroom your sleep space only. Separating your bedroom from the other rooms in your house helps your brain process when it's time for bed. When you enter your sleep sanctuary, your brain will recognize that this is where you sleep and start preparing for bed. 
• Develop a bedtime routine. Like the last method, this is all about sending signals to your brain. Try taking a warm bath, reading a book or meditating each night before bed. 
• Aromatherapy has also been shown to help with rest. Using lavender essential oils has been known to calm the mind and body. Adding a room spray, such as Sweet Dreams Lavender Room Spray by Meadowlark Botanical, to your nightly routine can also help your body relax and find sleep!
• Keep live plants in your room! Plants such as aloe or a spider plants provide high levels of oxygen and purify the air! Studies have shown that our oxygen levels are directly linked to our ability to fall asleep and sleep well. Having these low maintenance plants in your room will greatly increase the nighttime oxygen levels helping you to get a great night's rest. 

For more tips and resources about healthy sleep check out the National Sleep Foundation.