Let’s face it, we all feel better after a good night’s rest. Sleep just makes you feel better! But the benefits of sleep go way beyond eliminating yawns and bags under your eyes. Sufficient rest is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, according to a recent Health.com article. The featured article talks about 11 benefits, but in this post I will focus on my personal top three reasons to get a good night’s sleep!
1. Stay alert! Ok, so this goes without saying… but more often these days people are overwhelmed, overworked, and over-stressed. Lack of sleep leads to less productivity at work, less focus in conversation with family, and less attention behind the wheel. All of which are so important to our daily lives, which is why we need to get some rest and stay alert!
2. Muscle Recovery. Athletes and non-athletes alike need to sleep 6-8 hours a night. This is the body’s only chance to recover from the day’s activities. Whether pumping iron at the gym, hitting the pavement while training for a marathon, or simply chasing a couple of toddlers around all day – muscle recovery and rebuilding happens while you are sleeping. Having trouble making gains in strength or endurance? It may not be your workout after all – it could quite simply be the lack of rest!
3. Trigger Creativity. I don’t know about you, but I naturally feel my best first thing in the morning. My mind races with ideas, blog topics, business concepts, as well as my things to do list! 
But, I believe it is because my mind and body are rejuvenated after a good night’s sleep! I know there are some non-morning people out there that likely think I am crazy, but consider if you are sleeping good at night before you say you aren’t a “morning person” – you may just not be a “good-night-sleeper” which we all know can effect the entire day!
Stay tuned next week, when I will cover some of my personal tricks & tips on how you can get better sleep at night!
