Page 13 - IFV_Issue 5_May_2022

Lifestyle

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

The Villager • Issue 5 2022 • 11