Get your rest

This month has been extremely stressful for various reasons. I started to feel my body getting run-down and the stress of everything beginning to build up exponentially, despite my efforts to try and relax. It is easy for someone on the outside to say the words "manage your stress," but wow, when you are actually in the situation, it's not quite that easy. I have been trying to get very regular exercise and to eat well, but unfortunately it wasn't helping as much as usual. I was still tired and unfortunately for my husband, irritable. I knew what I was missing: my sleep. With the latest "adventures" being thrown at us, I was going to bed significantly later than normal, sleeping fitfully and waking up still exhausted.
Sleep is very nearly always the first thing to suffer when times get stressful and schedules get hectic, but in all actuality, it can be the very thing that will help the most. Sleep allows your body to recover, recuperate, and recharge. When that rest isn't happening, our bodies really take a toll and we wind up even more stressed, on-edge and yes, irritable. Not fun for anybody. Sleep helps with moodiness, energy, concentration, and your immune system. In order for the body to fight off disease and bacteria, it has to have rest. This explains why often when you are stressed and not sleeping well, you manage to get sick on top of it all.
Sleep deprivation can also affect weight and metabolism. Sleep releases a natural appetite suppressant called Leptin in our bodies, which can help keep your eating habits normal. When you aren't getting your rest, body processes and hormones can be altered, which can attribute to weight gain. Also, when your energy levels are lowered, it can be much, much harder to talk yourself into getting some decent exercise.
So, when you find yourself fending off stressful situations, make sure you are taking care of yourself. Eat healthy, unprocessed foods, get some exercise and most of all, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get some healthy hours of rest. Sleep tight!