You’ve read books, Googled all things sleep-related, asked friends and family for their “secret” … but Dr. Michael Breus, PhD, shares the fact of the matter.
“If you wake up at the same time 7 days a week – that will fix like 60% of what’s going on with most people.”
Imagine what 60% improvement to your physical and mental well-being would feel like. That influences me more than enough to wake up at the same time.
Find that sweet spot that works for all days… commit to it knowing you are committing to achieving a healthier body and quality of life.
So why does shifting the time you wake up matter?
Because when you wake up at different times “it throws off your circadian rhythm,” Breus said.
This is hyper-important. If you’re not familiar with the body’s circadian rhythm you may have an “ah-ha” moment shortly. The facts of it make sense and paint a picture of what is really going on within your body.
“Circadian rhythm is not just about sleep.”
What has a circadian rhythm?
- All your organs
- All viruses
- All diseases
“Almost every living thing on Earth – from bacteria to plants to people – have a circadian rhythm. The biological clock that controls both physiology and behavior of organism in a 24-hour period.”*
By staying consistent with your wake cycle, you keep your circadian rhythm consistent.
“It really is incredibly beneficial,” said Breus. “Your body will thank you.”
The most understated benefit of sleep?
Pure “joy! That feeling of exuberance and the overall positive vibe,” Breus emphasized.
We all thrive when we feel joyful.
Most people “are not happy when they are not sleeping.” So flip the script, “If you are well-slept, you have a much greater likelihood of being happy.”
Lack of sleep and its impacts know no bounds. It impacts our mental health, physical health, emotional health…
While Breus isn’t claiming that “sleep solves everything,” sleep has been known to aid in “some reversal of symptomatology in almost 90% of mental health issues.”
“I can assure you, it messes with your head if you are not well-slept and that can really have a big effect on everything” including:
- Every organ system
- Every disease state
Simply put, “Everything you do – you do better with a good night’s sleep.”
If you struggle falling asleep, staying asleep, or identifying a sleep schedule that works best for you, I recommend reading more on the topic on Dr. Breus’ website and aligning yourself with a specialist to help get you on a healthier path.
Plain and simple, we need sleep. Here’s to us all getting more quality ZZZs…
Dr. Michael Breus, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and both a diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
*University of Michigan Medicine
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