Importance of Sleeping

In Arrianna Huffington’s book ‘A Sleep Revolution’ (which, by the way, you should read immediately) she shines light on the fact (because no one else will) that we are in the midst of a sleep deprivation crisis. We all know sleep is important – it’s a natural occurrence without which no one could survive – but very few people appreciate its true power, and the vital role that it plays in both our waking and sleeping moments. Not to mention the affect it has on just about every aspect of our health (weight management, disease, mental illness, to name a few).

We all need different levels of sleep, and determining exactly how much is not as simple as just observing things like weight, height, level of activity or length of working hours – for example. It depends on so much more, from your current emotional state, your finances, your plans for the future, your dreams, your worries and concerns, your health, your genetic history, your living and sleeping arrangements, your diet – it goes on. As I have transitioned through different stages of my life, I’ve come to understand just how sleep can both help our bodies do good things, and prevent them from doing good things. As a model, I became aware of the importance of sleep and the effects of good and bad quality rest. If I slept well, I performed better on set, was more patient with people, was less affected by insignificant annoyances, felt better and more confident about myself, and felt fresher, brighter and more energetic and fun for those working with me. And if I slept badly, or not enough, my body made gave it away, through greyer, drier skin, enhanced shadows and tenderness under my eyes, puffiness, skin imbalances, a short fuse and premature fatigue.

We all need different levels of sleep, and determining exactly how much is not as simple as just observing things like weight, height, level of activity or length of working hours – for example. It depends on so much more, from your current emotional state, your finances, your plans for the future, your dreams, your worries and concerns, your health, your genetic history, your living and sleeping arrangements, your diet – it goes on. As I have transitioned through different stages of my life, I’ve come to understand just how sleep can both help our bodies do good things, and prevent them from doing good things. As a model, I became aware of the importance of sleep and the effects of good and bad quality rest. If I slept well, I performed better on set, was more patient with people, was less affected by insignificant annoyances, felt better and more confident about myself, and felt fresher, brighter and more energetic and fun for those working with me. And if I slept badly, or not enough, my body made gave it away, through greyer, drier skin, enhanced shadows and tenderness under my eyes, puffiness, skin imbalances, a short fuse and premature fatigue.