How to Get Enough Sleep for a Healthy Lifestyle

Ah, sleep. Most of us crave it. All of us need it. Few of us get enough of it.

In her book, The Sleep Revolution, Ariana Huffington tells her story of years of sleep deprivation and it’s deleterious effect on her body. She literally collapsed at her desk from lack of sleep, she said. I can certainly relate to this.

Also, in her TED talk, Ariana tells us that “the way to a more productive, more inspired, more joyful life is getting enough sleep”.

Arriana Huffington

For years I worked long hours — a one and a half hour commute, bracketed by 12–13 hour days, with only rare bathroom breaks. I ate (more like inhaled) lunch at my desk and spent these very long days hunched over my keyboard, churning out work nobody remembers. Couple this scenario with even longer nights laying awake worrying and fretting about everything ,and you have the perfect storm for an unhealthy person.

It is no wonder that one day I tried running for the bus and my joints wouldn’t move. I had gotten overweight, my blood pressure was out of control, and I lived in a constant fog. I was also depressed and forgetful. At first I blamed age but realized that was just a copout we sometimes use to avoid dealing with our issues.