It's time to go to bed, but you still linger on the couch for a while. Just checking to see if you have any messages, have a drink, read another chapter, just a little longer…. And before you know it, it's late. Too late, because the next morning it is difficult to get out of bed. “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep.” Proverbs 6:10. Is this as recognizable to you as it is to me?
Sleep is essential
There is an important reason why rest is one of the eight health laws. Sleep is essential for our daytime functioning and health. Chronic sleep deprivation negatively affects many aspects of our well-being. For example, it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, imbalance in hormones, slows down the metabolism, it worsens sensitivity to insulin and weakens your immune system, and learning and making healthy choices becomes more difficult.
One of those healthy choices should be a good bedtime. It is a good habit to go to bed on time so that you can wake up refreshed the next morning.
Refreshed and invigorated
“Sleep, nature's sweet restorer, invigorates the weary body and prepares it for the next day's duties.” Counsels on health 147.2.
Many processes are active in the body during sleep. For example, a cleaning system is active in the brain at night.[i] [ii] While we sleep, our brains are cleaned.
The brain is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid, which is also called CSF. This liquid has a number of functions. One is shock absorption. The cerebrospinal fluid ensures that the brain is protected during movement and doesn’t collide with the skull. It also provides a supply of nutrients.
At night CSF has another very important task. It cleans the brain cells. While we sleep, small channels open around the blood vessels, through which the cerebrospinal fluid flows under pressure. In this way, the brain is systematically flushed of toxins that have accumulated during the day. Sleep clears our heads and we wake up refreshed in the morning.
Challenge
So, a good night's sleep is very important. One of the things that can help you get a good night's sleep is a set time for going to bed and getting up.
“In eating, drinking, and dressing, the laws of health should be diligently followed, and in regulating the hours for sleep, there should be no haphazard work.” Christian education 124.1.
I found myself staying up at night even though I was too tired to concentrate. Carefully reading a chapter of the Bible was difficult. And in the morning I had a hard time getting up, even after enough hours of sleep.
I took on the challenge of arranging my sleeping hours better. For one week I went to bed about an hour and a half earlier than I was used to. I also got up earlier.
Result
Because I went to bed at the same time as my children, it didn't take much effort to get to bed on time. The first few days it took me a long time to fall asleep. Despite this, I woke up early every morning. Without an alarm clock! I now do my morning devotion in the living room instead of in bed. That helps me to get up immediately and start my day right.
Ellen White writes “Two hours good sleep before twelve o'clock is worth more than four hours after twelve o'clock.” Brief 85, 10 mei 1888.
My personal experience matches this quote. This week I slept longer before midnight. And even though I slept an hour less per night, I woke up rested in the morning and I was more energetic this week.
I had a positive experience going to bed and getting up earlier.
By changing one habit, my sleeping hours, other habits changed for the better. I feel more productive, drink more water early in the morning and have more time between breakfast and lunch.
How do you determine your sleep time? Are you able to go to bed on time and wake up refreshed?
Comments