BALANCE_MARCH_2020 - 37

IIIII WELL RESTED BODY & SOUL

T

our inability to maintain our natural internal
he secret to a good night's sleep is
clocks. For example, shift work and a soaring
fast becoming the holy grail in
gig economy - a sector in which one-in-five
a world that never switches off.
Londoners are employed - demand long hours
The sleep market is worth £335
and so rest is irregular as a result. When
billion, and will reach £453 billion
correlated with a 24/7 culture and technology, it
by 2024, according to the Global Wellness
means our environments are a "lightmare" of
Summit. From oxygen therapy and guided
screens, which increase circadian disruption.
meditations to smart mattresses, it seems we
Claudia Hammond, author of The Art Of Rest,
are all seeking the ultimate rest. On average we
says: "To feel well-rested you don't necessarily
spend 36 per cent of our life sleeping, but if we
need to sleep more, to be more sedentary or
understand the science of sleep, can we really
even to slow down that
doze better?
It is more a question
Our circadian biology is
"C I R C A D I A N much.
of achieving the right balance
what governs our ability to
between busyness and
rest, and sleep is an output
BIOLOGY
restfulness that suits you."
of our circadian clocks (our
This doesn't mean having a
internal daily timekeepers).
GOVERNS
nap; you could also enjoy
This has an impact on all of
our organs, our brain and O U R A B I L I T Y taking a brisk walk. "Studies
show some people are better
cellular activity. Humans
T O R E S T"
rested by activities involving
are highly sensitive to the
physical exertion, as counter24-hour solar cycle.
intuitive as that sounds," adds Claudia.
This choreography runs on a tight daily loop,
with regular exposure to both natural light and
dark. These provide us with time-cues which
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
are required to rest our circadian clocks every
According to the Global Wellness Report,
single day. We need the sun's light to be alert
intermittent fasting, typically restricting eating
and active, the same as we need the dark to
and drinking to an eight to 10-hour window, is
kick-start our brain's sleep mode and recovery.
linked with your body's natural cycle. Research
Just think how a lack of natural sunlight in the
from Harvard University and the University of
winter morning has a sleepy effect on you when
Murcia in Spain found that early eaters lose
waking up for work.
25 per cent more weight than late eaters. This is
because circadian rhythms impact the
microbiome (the gut's own clock), which has
DISRUPTING THE REST
been linked to gastrointestinal problems, and
Around 3.5 million people in the UK have
everything from obesity to colon cancer.
problems sleeping. The modern world affects

MEET THE EXPERT
Ruth Cooper-Dickson is
the founder and MD of
wellbeing consultancy
Champs For Change.
She has helped global organisations
by enabling them to foster a culture of
positive mental health for their employees.
champsconsult.com

INTERIOR ADVICE
"Low lighting is the best way to put your body
into wind-down mode ahead of a good night's
sleep," says sleep expert and behaviour change
therapist Natalie Pennicotte-Collier. "Blue light
isn't helpful towards a healthy sleep state, and
this is emitted from smartphones, laptops, TVs
and even energy-efficient light bulbs."
Create a sleep sanctuary, starting in your
bedroom. "Ensure it is conducive to rest with a
cool temperature, ideally 18ºC, and make sure
everything is clean. Your bedroom should also
be darkly furnished," advises Natalie.
With blackout blinds and dimmed lights,
hotels are now curating the ultimate circadian
health experience for the modern-day jetsetter,
so travelling with earplugs and eye-masks will
soon be a thing of the past. The Zed Rooms in
Shoreditch, for example, has a mix of
apartments and rooms with calming wooden
décor and Simba Hybrid® Mattresses, which
have been designed to promote a better night's
sleep, and help you optimise your rest potential.

O N T H E R I G H T S I D E O F T H E B E D...

LIGHT

The Dyson Lightcycle is pure
genius - a light that changes
its level and colour to follow the
natural tone of the day, and will
automatically change according
to wherever you are in the world.
£449.99, dyson.co.uk

T R AV E L

If you are a jet-setter, the
Timeshifter app used by
astronauts and elite athletes
gives personalised plans to
help you avoid jet lag, with lots
of tips and light-exposure advice.
timeshifter.com

BEAUTY

Skin cells have their own
autonomous daily clock.
This Works has you covered
from dusk to dawn with its
24-hour skincare solutions.
Sleep & Day Duo,
£51.50, thisworks.com

READ

Understand how to get the
most from your winding down
and resting techniques with
The Art Of Rest: How To Find
Respite In The Modern Age
by Claudia Hammond.
£16.99, waterstones.com

37
http://www.champsconsult.com http://dyson.co.uk http://www.timeshifter.com http://www.thisworks.com http://www.waterstones.com
BALANCE_MARCH_2020

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