If our sleep quality declines, everything will soon follow. It may not be the MOST important thing for overall health but it is the one thing that can impact all areas of our health and life. When we sleep, we allow our nervous system to process the stress of the day and our body to regenerate and heal. Without proper sleep, we may find ourselves more stressed, losing focus, unable to recover, as well as having no energy👎 But, there are things we can do to not only increase sleep time but enhance the quality👇 1. Get morning sunlight- Morning sun that covers most of our body AND eyes resets out circadian rhythm. This signals our nervous system that it’s time to be awake and we don’t need to think about sleep for at least another 12-14 hours. This may be the MOST important step to improving sleep! 😴 2. No caffeine after 12 PM- Caffeine has a half life on average of 5 hours. This means if you plan to be in bed by 10, your body may still be processing your afternoon cup of joe. If caffeine affects you, try sticking to just a morning cup of coffee or tea 🍵 3. No food 3 hours before bed- On average it takes about 2-3 hours for food to pass through your stomach. This means your blood sugar levels can still spike and interfere with sleep quality. Plus, if you’re trying to digest a big meal, you’re body can’t fully rest. Aim to finish your last meal between 6-7 PM💪 4. Eliminate all blue light 1 hour before bed- Blue light that comes from computers, cell phones, and TV can throw off your circadian rhythm. Your body won’t know it’s time for sleep and you may notice a more difficult time falling asleep. If you must work, we recommend blue blocking glasses from @peepers . We get them from @nutritionworldchattanooga 🤓 #RevZen #chattanoogatennessee #chattanooga #sleep #optimalhealth #caffeine #holisticwellness