Page 25 - FWG Issue 4_May_2022

Lifestyle

dinners, how big your house is and what So many influences and factors can disturb comes down to the quality time you spend
fancy cars you drive. But in fact, it is the sleep, such as worry, stress, and anxiety, as with these people. To then enhance the
simple things and the simple pleasures in well as physical factors such as disturbances quality of your relationships, consider these
life that have the greatest value and impact. at night, like children, insects or noises, points:
medications or your daily routine. • Are you present? When you are with the
For instance, are you fit and healthy enough people you love, are you fully attentive?
to play with your children or grandchildren? PS: If you are a parent of young children, • Do you listen? Listening is not a passive
Do you have the resilience to bounce back then this will not necessarily apply right activity. It takes practice to be able to
quicker from any setbacks? Do you have the now because your sleeping patterns will listen without thinking about your answer,
mental, physical and emotional capacity to change. You will go through a phase in your response, or counterargument. You will be
dream big for your life? life where you are not getting sufficient amazed at what happens when a person
sleep. But it should only be a phase and feels heard, regardless of whether you
Unfortunately, many people only value should end. If it is not ending and persisting agree with them or not. Most arguments
these elements, i.e. their health and well- as your child is getting older, you must seek or heated discussions can be diffused by
being, when they no longer have them. So help. Lack of sleep can cause serious harm simply and authentically listening.
to enhance your quality of life, you need to now and in the future. • Do you create a space for others to feel
take a proactive approach. that they can belong?
With that said, how does one then get
Here are some essential building blocks better sleep? The third building block of creating
to improve your quality of life: Here are a few simple things to try. quality of life is the quality of the food
• Get at least 15 to 30 minutes of daily sun you eat. Your body is a machine and needs
The first and most important building exposure to boost your overall well-being the proper fuel to perform efficiently.
block of creating quality of life is quality and vitamin D intake. What you eat and how you eat it are key
sleep. A good night's sleep is directly • Reduce your exposure to electronic blue factors that will determine whether you
proportional to your overall well-being. I light before bedtime. are merely coping in life and keeping your
am not going to go too much into science • Avoid caffeine in the late afternoon or head above water, or you are thriving and
because there is a lot freely available. evening. in control.
Sleep is a very complex process consisting • Avoid tobacco and alcohol in the late
of various stages and phases. Once you afternoon and evening if it's something If and when you are ready and able to
understand the purpose of sleep, you will that affects your sleep. Remember, we are nourish yourself correctly, keep in mind
understand the importance of it. talking about the quality of your sleep, that each person and their body is different.
and all these things affect the cycles and What is healthy for one person may not
The purpose of sleep is restoration. In processes you'll go through. necessarily be so for the next person. It is
other words, it is the only time your • Try to use your sleep area only for sleep worth taking time to explore what foods
body can restore itself on a cellular level. and intimacy. Avoid clutter and electronics are appropriate for your specific mind/
Research suggests that sleep plays a critical as much as possible. body type and in what quantities. You do
role in your neurological, psychological • Daily exercises and walking can enhance not necessarily have to visit a dietician or
and metabolic health and memory the quality of sleep. nutritionist – simply do some research and
consolidation. If you are not getting quality • Consider the temperature in the room and become more aware. When you eat various
sleep, it is not giving your body what it yourself and regulate it if necessary. foods, take note of how you feel afterwards.
needs to restore itself. • Notice the sounds and noises that could Consider starting an eating journal and
disturb your sleep. document the types of foods you eat and
your body’s reaction to them.
The second building block of creating
quality of life is the quality of your Your quality of life is a choice, so empower
relationships. You may have many yourself with whatever knowledge you
relationships in your life, including family, need.
friends, extended family and colleagues,
but how many of these are quality There will, of course, be times and seasons
relationships? Do they add value to your that demand a lot from you, but if your
life, and do you add value to theirs? foundation is solid in terms of your well-
being (and the elements previously
Often the quality of your relationships mentioned in this article), you will be able
to be much more resilient.

Fourways Gardens • 23 • May 2022