RESTORATIVE SLEEP
Lauri Carter is part of the expert team at Resolution Retreats; the awardwinning women’s exclusive health, wellness and weight loss retreat tucked away on the peaceful borders of Lake Karapiro. Lauri is a devoted yogi, a busy grandmother and passionate about food and nutrition. It was Lauri’s own concerning health challenges that firstly lead her to completely turn her health around and then inspire her into a career in health and wellness decades ago. Lauri understands the pressures of modern-day life for women and is passionate about educating and supporting women to make health a priority for themselves and tap into their parasympathetic nervous system to help reduce stress.
As important as exercise and good nutrition, sleep plays an integral role to our health. We chatted to Lauri about her role at Resolution Retreats and how we can help ourselves to achieve better sleep habits.
What is your role at Resolution Retreats?
I am a health and nutrition group facilitator and yoga teacher. Yoga has played an integral part of my life for over 30 years. I’m passionate about educating and inspiring women on how to be their healthiest and happiest versions of themselves. On retreat I take cooking demonstrations for our guests, present health and sleep workshops, teach yoga and cook our delicious, nutritionist designed meals for guests.
Why is sleep so important for our health?
When we sleep our bodies are undergoing fundamental repair and rejuvenation. Biologically our bodies need to recuperate physically and mentally. At the cellular level when you sleep, you’re refreshing and recovering your cells while flushing out waste generated by your metabolic and brain functions. 7-8 hours of sleep is the recommended amount for optimal rest and repair. Sleep helps produce a positive mood, increases mental clarity, strengthens immunity, supports heart health and helps us have greater energy and productivity during our waking hours. Anything shorter than this impedes these processes and over time poor sleep can be linked to a range of health issues including diabetes, increased weight gain, low mood, memory loss and impaired cognitive function.
What can we do to improve our sleep habits?
I recommend these five steps to improve sleep:
1. Make sure your room is dark and cool. Having fresh air circulating through your room can also help promote better sleep. Where possible have a window slightly open. Keep electronics and mobile phones out of the room. Use an eye mask and/or ear plugs if you are sensitive to noise and/or light and wake easily.
2. Avoid drinking coffee or stimulating drinks after 1pm.
3. Have a light dinner before 7:30 pm
4. Try to create a regular sleep schedule and go to bed at the same time every night between 9:30 pm and 11 pm. Set your intention to sleep for 7-8 hours.
5. Implement a ritual at least an hour before bed that signals to your body you are winding down. For example, draw a relaxing bath, read a book or enjoy a cup of sleep tea to promote relaxation 45 minutes to an hour before going to bed.
1002 Tirau Rd, Lake Karapiro www.resolutionretreats.co.nz