Cassandra Forsythe

How many times have you heard that if you have a hard time sleeping, the answer is to exercise more regularly? Probably too many times to count. And for those that still can't sleep, it's not helping them at all.

Well, the answer may come from a recent study by Swiss scientists of 862 students who found that those that reported exercising the most, did NOT report sleeping the best.

The problem wasn't the amount of exercise per se, but the student's perception of how effectively they exercised, and how fit they believed themselves to be.

What this all boils down to in my experience working with several different types of people is our happiness of ourselves and the world around us. Those people that are content with their bodies, their exercise routines, and their overall life, are those that are more at peace and in tune with themselves. As a result, they sleep better at night because they have less to worry about and more to enjoy and look forward to.

It's kind of ironic that some of the most fit women and men I've met or worked with are actually the most dissatisfied with themselves, whether it be their body, their job, their car, their home, their life, or basically anything around them. No matter how hard they work, and how good their life really is, they're never, ever, truly happy. And this is just really unfortunate because they don't see what they have in front of them and how wonderful it is.

Some may say that this "perfectionism" is what drives them to look so good or be so successful. Sure, I can see that as I'm partially one of those "perfectionist" types too. But, what's the point of even looking good, working out hard, or having a great life if you can't even enjoy it?

As my days go flying by, and my daughter (holy cow, I'm a mom!) is already two months old, I really see that life is like a wicked fast car ride through the Alps and, if you don't hit the brakes, slow down and just enjoy the beauty around you, it's going to pass you by before you even realize it's there. So for me, I've been learning to take more time for me, and my family instead of trying to reach some magical level of perfectionism, because in truth, perfect does not exist if you can never appreciate it.

So what's the answer for all those that struggle with sleep issues? It's to STOP STRESSING! Good things and happiness come to those that realize that happiness is what you make of it and it's probably right under your nose - you just have to see that it's really there. Once you accept that your life is great and you are fit and beautiful, your nights will be full of restful dreams and wonderful good mornings.

Posted Jun 27, 2010 by Cassandra Forsythe.
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