Adequate sleep is every bit as important to your health as diet or exercise.

For the Rest of Your Life

By Michael Krugman, MA, GCFP
Copyright © 2004 by Michael Krugman

Everybody knows the balanced equation for a healthy senior lifestyle: proper nutrition plus adequate exercise equals good health. But did you know that there’s a third factor in this equation? It’s sleep! Adequate sleep is every bit as important to your health as diet or exercise.

In fact, long term population studies suggest that adequate sleep is the most important factor determining health, longevity, and enjoyment of later life. Seniors who get the full daily dose of “Vitamin S,” sleep, are less likely to experience depression, stroke, and diabetes. They look better, feel better, and have better memory, too!

So, especially if you’re over 50, plenty of natural, restful sleep is an essential element of your healthy lifestyle. The problem is, how to get it?

Believe it or not, the answer is right at your fingertips. I have discovered that certain slow, gentle movements synchronized with easy, natural breathing have a profoundly tranquilizing effect on your mind and body.

Here’s a quickie exercise called "Slow Blinks" to give you an idea how it works:

• Begin with your eyes closed.
• Slowly inhale and as you do so, gradually part your eyelids a tiny bit. Let your eyes be soft and still—do not focus on anything.
• Then slowly exhale, and gradually allow your eyelids to close.
• Repeat 3 to 5 times, then stop and rest for at least 3 breath cycles. How do you feel now?
• Repeat as desired.

With the guidance of a trained instructor, you can learn to use simple means such as these to lull yourself to sleep at bedtime, or get back to sleep if you awaken during the night.

In case you're not able to see an instructor in person, we've made a recording that's the next best thing. It's called Secrets of Sounder Sleep. To learn more, please visit our web site at www.soundersleep.com.

Michael Krugman, MA, is the founder of the Sounder Sleep System™. He teaches and lectures on sleep, alertness, and corporate wellness issues all over the US and in Europe. A lifelong student of traditional and modern self-healing systems, Michael has been a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher® since 1987. He lives in New Mexico. Michael’s forthcoming book, The Insomnia Solution, will be published by Warner Books in Spring 2005.