A number of months ago, the nurse practitioner said something that stuck with me. She mentioned that the reason we often have to go to the bathroom shortly after we go to bed is because our body starts removing all the fluid inflammation more efficiently once we are lying down. This was relevant to me because I was experiencing swelling in my lower legs. I noticed on the nights when I slept longer, there was a difference in my ankles. (I’ve always had slim ankles except when pregnant.)

I haven’t had time to write about some of the changes I’ve made this year, but one of them is going to bed much earlier. My goal is to be in my bed by 10:15 and lying down and reading on my Kobo by 10:30. That might not sound early to you, but in recent years I have often been up until 12:00 or even 12:30 without getting to sleep until 1:00. 

The extra time sleeping has had a significant impact on my legs. I have had no swelling since I started doing this. I think my body simply wasn’t getting enough time to do its job.

The other reason I’m prioritizing sleep is for the sake of my brain. There is research regarding how the brain removes waste while we sleep. My brain is very busy all day long. It needs more of a break and that is one of my goals for this year. I have also noticed that by getting more sleep, I feel more mentally clear. How much of it is simply the rest and how much of it is the waste removal, I don’t know. But there is definitely a difference.

I’ve always known sleep is important and I’ve written about sleep many times. But it has been a good reminder at this point in my life to make it a priority again.

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