Hi friends,

Spring time is upon us once more! A time of new beginnings, and the omnipresence of the beauty of the Universe abounds. Whether you see it in the form of new born wildlife, the beauty in the myriad of colors from freshly bloomed flora and fauna, it’s hard to miss, it is everywhere! It is a time that we want to be springing with energy.

So I want to talk to you this month on a subject we mostly take for granted, but essential SLEEP. It is essential but most of us get far too little of it. Modern day research has only recently found indications that our modern day, 24/7 lifestyles made possible by electric lighting, could interfere with our metabolism and learning in ways that are only recently coming to be understood.

Researchers put mice through 10 weeks of (20) hour light- dark cycles, instead of the natural 24- hour circadian cycle. After six weeks, the mice got fatter, showed less mental flexibility, and were more impulsive.

Science Daily reports:

“Researchers believe that (the effects of our altered circadian cycle) may affect how an individual, animal or human, responds to the additional challenges to the immune or metabolic systems, such as infection. They are also working on models to understand the impact of different kinds light-dark shifting, such as those experienced by flight crews, shift workers, military/ police enforcement personnel and medical staff.”

~ Science Daily, February 27,2011.

Research regularly shows us that our driven 24/7 lifestyles, with our piquant for the ever growing electronic devices, lap tops, I- Pads, Twitter, emails, etc. are taking us to a point that it is taking a toll on our health and well-being, aware of it or not.

The National Sleep Foundation’s 2011 Sleep in America Poll, found that 95% of those surveyed used an electronic device within an hour of going to bed, and 20% were awakened by phone calls, texts, etc. at least a few nights per week.

As you may know, the circadian rhythm is a 24hour cycle that governs the physiological process if all living things. The circadian rhythm, is nature’s built in time tracking device, and when it is disturbed by our modern day life, the entire light and darkness cycle is thrown off course, as our biological clocks drive our circadian rhythms.

Points to consider:

• Circadian rhythms can change sleep-wake cycles, hormone release, body temperature and other significant bodily functions.
• The body’s master clock ( circadian rhythm) controls the production of melatonin, a sleep hormone. The hormone is located next to the optic nerves, which relays information from the eyes to the brain, receiving information about incoming light. So as you can now appreciate when we surround ourselves with televisions(some people in every room), electronic devices such as lap-tops, I-Pads, etc. at night when we are supposed to be assisting our inbuilt mechanisms to sleep, we do just the opposite by creating light and therefore making ourselves susceptible to poor sleep, and sleep disorders. Have you ever wondered why In this modern day and age, there are more people requiring sleep medication than at any time before? Maybe even you? We have created a sleeplessness epidemic.

Things that you can do to help:

1. Try to relax for about an hour before going to bed, in a dimly light room. Do not put a television on In the bedroom, or other electronic devices.
2. Sleep in a pitch- black room. Most people tend to overlook this and often have light peaking in. This sounds simple but can dramatically improve the quality of your sleep.
3. Try and develop a routine of going to bed and arising at a similar time.
4. Eat a high protein meal (2) hours before going to bed, as this will release L’Tryptophan needed for melatonin and serotonin production.

I hope you will all get a better night’s sleep now! If you want more information you are welcome to email from the website and I will send you a link.

Live everyday with purpose, but remember to enjoy the journey!

-Nicholas

---

If you are in the Los Angeles area and you would like a complimentary one-on-one assessment with Personal Trainer in L.A. Nicholas Barrett, please don't hesitate to get in touch! Personal trainer Los Angeles. Los Angeles personal trainer. Personal trainer marina del rey.