I recently started looking into my sleeping habits by using an app called Sleep Timer by Azumio. Each night, i set the time I am planning on getting up via the app and lay my iPhone down on the bed and it tracks my light vs deep sleep and my awake time.  I’m not sure how uber accurate it is but it uses the iPhone’s accelerometer to sense movements throughout the night and graphs sleep cycles.

One thing that is not clear to me as I am using it is how to tell if my sleep patterns are good. And am I getting quality sleep besides the obviousness of waking up feeling stupendous? So I did some research…

The Importance of Deep Sleep and REM sleep

What is boils down to is that no two people are alike when it comes to their sleeping needs. Some people really are fine with 6-7 hours a day, while others need more than that.  What is clear is how important getting good, quality sleep is because it’s our body’s time to regenerate, repair and renew.

Besides obvious feelings of being tired, lack of quality sleep can also be the trigger for fatigue, depression, weight gain and can lower your immune system defenses – which brings about a whole other set of issues.

If you are struggling with sleeping issues, here are some tips to get a good night’s sleep by Mark Sisson.

And I would also suggest taking a magnesium supplement like Natural Calm before bedtime as well.

Recommended Reading

• Recipe: Carrot-Cumin Salad
• 10 Ways to Go Gluten-Free, Get Lean, and Stay That Way
• A Cold War Fought by Women
• SARA LAZAR ON HOW MEDITATION CAN RESHAPE OUR BRAINS (LECTURE)

And if you want to hear some amazing vocals — listen to this a-cappella version of Freddie Mercury and David Bowie singing Under Pressure. These guys could sing and had such amazing talent that I still appreciate today.

Kindness Matters

• The Neuroscience of Why Gratitude Makes Us Healthier
• 14 Random Acts of Kindness to Brighten Your Monday