If there were ever an event that could throw us completely off track, it’s a pandemic. A once-in-a-lifetime occurrence that we can only hope will soon be over!

Your Health Matters - with Janet Zappala

Thankfully, the COVID vaccine is providing that light at the end of a long and distressing tunnel. We will get through this and enjoy life again. Perhaps with more appreciation for all of our blessings and life’s little pleasures like hugging family and friends. Wow, what a concept!

One of life’s greatest pleasures, and most important for our health, is sleep — a time when our bodies re-boot, recharge and keep us well by helping to boost our immune system. According to sleep specialist Clark Taylor, MD, DDS at Cosmetic Surgery Institute in Palm Desert, “Restorative sleep is critical to numerous systemic body functions.” Restorative sleep is REM sleep, rapid eye movement, the phase of sleep where we dream. “Lack of restorative sleep, we now know, contributes to many medical issues including diabetes, heart attack, stroke, depression, and even a higher risk of dementia.” 

“Your immune system is affected in a negative way when you don’t get restorative sleep. At least 40 percent of your sleep time should be spent in REM sleep to have a positive effect on health,” says Taylor.

The average person needs seven to eight hours of sleep a night. “There are those outliers who require far less, but we don’t fully understand why. Perhaps they’re spending more than 40 percent of their sleep time in REM sleep, so they require less,” explains Taylor. 

Personally, my sleep habits have been dramatically altered since the onset of the pandemic. Previously, my bedtime was 11 p.m.; now, it’s more like 2 a.m. or later. Yikes! Right?

I blame monkey mind for my insomnia; it seems my brain just won’t turn off no matter how hard I try. And, of course, that next episode of Ozark that I just can’t miss! Yes, I’m blaming binge-watching. At least that WAS my issue. I can now share with you what’s helping. It’s no cure, but at least I’m getting to sleep before the sun comes up and getting eight hours of shut-eye.

I’m actually forcing myself to get up earlier than normal. So instead of getting up at 10 a.m. after hitting the hay at 2 a.m. or later, I’m up at 8 a.m. Not easy at first, but I’m sleepy earlier now, so getting to bed at a decent hour is more a necessity than a choice. My head hits the pillow, and I’m usually out within minutes. If not, I find that taking a magnesium supplement provides a calming effect. 

But a better way to absorb enough magnesium is by eating a balanced diet. Spinach, avocados, almonds, peanut butter, eggs, milk, yogurt and bananas all contain magnesium. If you’re not getting enough of these foods in your diet, then check with your doctor about taking a magnesium supplement. 

These are trying times, and quality sleep can certainly help get you through. Changing patterns and habits to ensure you are giving your body what it needs to reboot and recharge is an important step. Sweet dreams~

Janet Zappala is a certified nutritional consultant, an Emmy award-winning news anchor and reporter, and the creator and host of Your Health Matters. Find her on Facebook @JanetZappalaYourHealthMatters.

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