RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT
“The topic of healthy sleep could fill a whole book on its own,” says healthy living advocate Jess Blair in her new book, Wellness: Small Changes for Big Results. Many people unwisely refuse to listen to their body’s signals, she says, which in the case of cheating sleep can impact their mood, energy and hunger. Since moving to Auckland two years ago — when husband and senior league player Adam Blair was recruited by the Warriors — Jess has been establishing her own presence. Back in Brisbane, this qualified naturopath and nutritionist was a regular media commentator. Now the former body builder and mother to two young sons, Harlem and Taika, is making her mark on the local speaking circuit. “I think from competing, and marrying a professional athlete, I took more of an interest in nutrition. I was lucky that my passion turned into a career, I am so grateful to be in a position to help as many people as I can,” Jess says. Her book (available from Mighty Ape and Paper Plus) explores aspects of nutrition, exercise, lifestyle — and, of course, sleep. “In theory, sleeping should be simple. Go to bed when it’s dark, get up when it’s light. However, electricity came along and disrupted that natural cycle. Modern technology, particularly screens, now keep us up for longer and longer,” she says. With interrupted circadian rhythms come changes in how hormones function, including the stimulating hormone cortisol, which should taper off as melatonin (the sleep hormone) kicks in. Cortisol has a bad reputation for keeping our bodies in a state Jess describes as “tired wired” but in the right balance this stress hormone is handy. “It helps us to focus, to get our work done and to meet deadlines. It’s when stress becomes chronic that it’s problematic, detrimental to our sleeping habits and our health.”
— Ashleigh Cometti
READ MORE AT VIVA.CO.NZ/BEAUTYWELLBEING/JESS-BLAIR