NEWSTART

 

Rest

 

A vital part of a healthful lifestyle is getting the right amount of sleep. When we deprive the body of sleep, it is unable to rebuild and recharge itself adequately. When the body is deprived of sleep, it is unable to rebuild and recharge iteself adequately. There is increased irritability, while creativity, concentration and efficiency suffer. Sleep deprivation impairs judgement, causing values and priorities to change. Continued loss of sleep can result in exhaustion, depression, delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations. Losing as little as three hours of sleep in a single night can cut the effectiveness of your immune system in half. Slowed reaction time and decreased concentration lead to an increase in accidents, both fatal and nonfatal.

 

In the U.S. fatigue is one of the most common reasons for visiting a physician. Many people have been sleepy for so long that they don't know what it's like to feel wide awake. Do you nod off whenever you're not active, need an alarm clock to wake up, or sleep longer on your days off? If so, you are probably not getting enough sleep.

 

Our bodies require more than just a daily period of sleep. At creation God provided for a weekly rest, the Sabbath. This gives us a whole day without work, when the week's cares are set aside for quality time with God and our families. This is indispensable for total health - it's like an oasis in the midst of our busy lives. If we work continuously, we impose a strain upon our health and set ourselves up for disease. A longer period of recreation and relaxation is also important from time to time to refrest and renew us.

Source: Radiant Living, Family Heritage Books