It may sound like a no-brainer, but often in our pursuit of everlasting beauty and vitality do we forget the simple importance of getting a full night’s sleep.

Think about the longest you’ve ever gone without sleep. Did you take a look in the mirror? Did you like what you saw? It’s no secret that staying up for hours on end is not flattering for anyone. Bags under the eyes, flushed skin…grumpiness! Not a winning combination.

Unfortunately, insomnia is becoming more and more of a problem for Americans (and of course citizens of other countries of the world). Our hectic schedules and arguably insane priorities often leave little room for a healthy night’s sleep. If you’re one of the millions plagued by insomnia searching for a way to get your 40 winks, try the following:

• Avoid caffeine! Again, a no-brainer, but a lot of folks don’t realize that caffeine lingers in your body long after the initial effects have subsided. It can still prevent you from getting the rest you deserve.
• Try a natural sleep aid. Sleeping pills are dangerous. There are plenty of natural remedies.
• Drink herbal tea before bed. It can help calm and relax the body. Obviously you want to stay away from the caffeinated stuff!
• Exercise. One sure-fire way to get your body ready and willing to sleep is by exhausting it. After a vigorous workout, you won’t be able to help but fall asleep.
• Eat right. Tons of research has suggested that an unhealthy diet can impede normal sleeping habits. Eating healthy is a great way to get your mind AND body in shape, and restful sleep will surely follow.

Of course, another huge culprit in inciting insomnia is stress. Whether it be work related or personal, stress factors are very likely to keep you up at night with your mind stirring. Confronting the issues in your life that are the source of your stress is the only solid strategy to rid yourself of their burden.

Sleep For Your Heart

Many believe that the human heart only has a finite amount of beats in its lifespan. Once they’re up, so is your time. As grim as a thought as that may be, let’s think about how it relates to sleeping. When your body is asleep, in its most relaxed state, your heart rate is significantly slower. That means that the more time you spend resting, the less work your heart has to do. Staying up for days on end can be exhausting for the heart (as well as the rest of your body).

Hopefully this brief guide will point you in the right direction (to dream land). Good luck catching those Z’s!