But first, Sleep

When you woke up this morning did you curse the alarm? Or did you jump out of bed with a bounce in your step? Were you awake for half the night before finally falling asleep an hour before you had to hit snooze?Did you get out of bed and stumble to the bathroom with your eyes half closed and bad tempered? When your colleague casually asked, “How are you” your automatic response was “exhausted’.Sleeplessness is a huge issue. Our evolving lifestyle has largely contributed to create this common scenario. We work longer and most of us struggle to switch off because of the digital technology that surrounds us. Our addiction to smart phones and screens have a huge part to play in the hyper- stimulated state that stops many of us from being able to relax. It’s a combination of the constant interaction and the rapid responses that keep us in a permanent state of high alert. Many of us spend large amounts of money a year on gym memberships, yoga classes, diet plans, vitamin supplements and other health related products and services, to improve our well-being and the way we look, when, in fact, we really need to make sure we get more sleep. Sleep that is of good quality, leaving us fully rested and refreshed for the day ahead.Yet so many of us are sleepwalking through life on autopilot in a caffeine-fuelled state, simply surviving when we should be thriving.We all know what it’s like to have a bad night’s sleep, it’s hard to get out of bed in the morning and it’s hard to focus and concentrate. If that becomes the norm it can affect your ability to function normally making daily life challenging.I take my sleep pretty seriously; over the years I have developed night time rituals. I’m a firm believer that your morning can only be as good as the night before. My Night Time Rituals include:1- Writing down the good stuff that happened during the day.2-      Avoiding caffeine and drinks a few hours before bedtime.3- Replacing tablets and smart phones with a book.4- Regulate my body clock by sticking to a sleep schedule.5- Adjusting the room temperature, so its slightly cool.6- Never going to bed angry with anyone.7- Scheduling something to look forward to.8- Deep breathing.9- MeditationEstablishing a good routine and creating an environment where we can enjoy quality sleep is vital to us as individuals and as a race.* The author is a consultant and coach. Instagram handle: @miss_shefa,  Website: missshefa.com