You: Go to Sleep.

All day morning, I fought with myself. Not literally, but mentally.

I wanted to go to WORKOUT, but the “cough-cough-ACHOO!” and pounding sinus pressure, kept me from doing so.

Sometimes it’s OK to listen to your body and REST. I’m really bad at this. I push myself and push myself. I always have, just ask my mom. She always would tell me to slow down and rest… I’d be out the door before she could finish her sentence.  If I’m awake, I should be doing something.

Even though, Monday I had a plan, I thought I’d finish the massive amounts of laundry, vacuumed, cleaned both bathrooms AND cleaned the kitchen {which I did finish ALL of it} and then head to the gym for a light workout, which mentally would make me feel good about myself, always does… I never ended up leaving the house. Crashed on the couch for a bit after all that house work and realized, “It’s OK to rest.” I never nap, I’m just not a napper.

Here’s some benefits on Sleep, from FitSugar.com:

1. Health: Not getting enough Z’s can compromise your immune system making you more susceptible to viruses. Plus, living in a constant state of sleep debt can contribute to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
2. Smarts: Even though your body is at rest, your brain is buzzing. During sleep is when the brain sorts and processes information you absorbed while awake.
3. Weight Control: Recent research indicates a relationship between insufficient sleep and inability to lose or even maintain weight.
4. Coordination: Trying new activities that require coordination like step aerobics and playing the piano can be made more difficult after a bad night’s sleep.
5. Beauty: They don’t call it “beauty sleep” for nothing. While you sleep, your body repairs itself. Experts say you need 8 hours of sleep to avoid puffy, bloodshot eyes, as well as dark under-eye circles and a pale washed-out complexion.

So #1 totally is true, this past weekend I went to bed past 1:00AM each night and woke up at least by 7:00AM. Not enough rest. I’ve heard that your body gets the best sleep before Midnight.

I don’t know about you, but I need to work on resting and getting enough sleep, but it is hard in the Summer, so much fun stuff to do!!

So tell me, are you good at resting, love to sleep and could nap anytime? Or are you like me and napping is such a foreign concept to you? What do you do to REST?