A Day of Rest

"Lazy Sunday! Wake up in the late afternoon."

For most of us, we've all had days where we just needed to sleep in. From working late, to pulling all night study sessions, to being woken up by crying babies, to staying up for the Daily Show, we have all had days where our bodies were telling us we need more rest than we have been getting. So we end up sleeping in a little, or a lot, and maybe catching a nap at some point too.

Just like our bodies need a break from time to time from the routine that is our daily life, we need a break from working out from time to time as well. Now, allow me to tread lightly on this topic. When I'm recommending a break from working out, I'm not talking about a 4 or 5 day bender. I'm just encouraging a break from strenuous activity on occasion. Our bodies weren't made to be pushed to the limit on a daily basis, either in the gym or the office, and if we don't give our bodies a chance to rest they will begin to break down. When that starts to happen, your time at the gym is no longer productive--but destructive.

So whether you rejoice in the Judeo-Christian motto of Sunday being a day of rest, or whether you just need an excuse to listen to your body and take a day off, remember that a rest day can actually be as productive as a workout day, especially if it's been awhile since you last took one.

Did You Get Your Full 8 Last Night?

Everybody knows that sleeping is a necessary component of our daily routines. Most people are aware that it is recommended that we get 8 hours of sleep every night. While this is the recommendation, there are very few people (excluding my wife) who make it a routine habit to get a solid 8 hours every night. Is it any wonder, then, that we are a nation completely addicted to our Starbucks runs? However, besides just helping you to stay more alert a good night's sleep has some other important benefits to your health. Among them:

1. Sleep helps your brain process the information you received today and commit more things to memory. Turns out those college cram sessions weren't so good after all.

2. Sleep helps your body regulate its metabolism and burn calories more efficiently. Want to loose a little more weight, give your body more sleep.

3. Sleep helps improve your immune system. But getting plenty of rest your immune system has a chance to recharge and battle all of the pathogens that you are exposed to on a daily basis.

There are countless other ways that sleeping enough at night helps improve your health.

So, while 8 hours a night may mean you miss out on a little tv (just DVR the Daily Show), your body will appreciate it in the long term.