12 FEBRUARY 2024 – RACHEL M. SLADE
Ever since my baby was born six months ago, my life has been turned upside down in a lot of ways, as I’m sure many of you have experienced. One thing that’s been puzzling me has been how my mood has flip-flopped from day to day. I noticed that some days I’ve felt really low, worn out, and even hopeless. Other days I’ve felt basically normal–pretty cheerful and hopeful. Six months out, I don’t think I can blame it on hormones anymore, and I was really confused why I felt so different when my situation has been largely the same.
Then, last week, I finally saw a pattern–sleep! My baby is a very inconsistent sleeper. Some nights he wakes up 5 times, other times he sleeps straight through. I finally realized that the nights he (and I) got better sleep, I felt like myself the next day–happy, hopeful, and able to enjoy my life even though it’s hard right now. The nights we didn’t get much sleep were the days I felt down and despairing. It’s been a super drastic difference!
What is It?
felt a little silly once I realized, because I know about how important sleep is, along with nutrition and exercise. These three things are crucial for healthy neurotransmitter functioning in our brains. Neurotransmitters impact all kinds of things, from stress to energy to feelings of depression. A lot of times we sacrifice those things for other things, like work, school, etc. However, we’ll do much better in all areas of our lives if our brains are working well, and for that, we need to prioritize sleep, moderate exercise, and adequate nutrition.
“The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep”
-E. Joseph Cossman
Why Does it Matter?
Healthy neurotransmitter functioning is essential for us to be healthy and happy! Even when it’s hard, doing our best to take care of our bodies also takes care of our minds.
What Comes Next?
So what should you do if you struggle in one or more of these areas? I recommend identifying which area you’re weakest in and setting a goal that can help you improve. If you’re struggling with sleep (and you don’t have a baby), maybe try going to bed and waking up at the same time. If you’re struggling with nutrition, you could try focusing on getting in five fruits and veggies a day.
-RESOURCES-
COACHING! If you want to work with one of our coaches, we can help you set goals and be accountable in this and all the other healthy and happy areas! Book your free intro call here!