We have all heard it at some point of time or the other, but very few realize how the right sleep can help us lead a healthier and fitter life. I have even heard people say that a good diet and proper exercise is all that the body needs to stay healthy. This is absolutely wrong.

By “the right sleep” I don’t mean sleeping long hours daily. Neither do I claim that “the right sleep” alone can let you lead a healthy life. Instead, a sound sleep, without even the little bit of disturbance and distraction, is what we require to let our body and mind the time it needs to rest and rejuvenate.

While we are sleeping, the body repairs the damages it sees throughout the day, and grows new cells, which is the required maintenance work that keeps our organs and brain in the right shape.

This is just like a machine. If you overwork a machine without giving it a break and maintaining it properly, it will break down, no matter how much fuel you supply it with.

So how do you ensure that you can the right sleep to keep your mind and body fit?

1. Make sure you sleep at least 6 hours every day – absolutely no disturbance should be there to wake you up during this time period.
2. Don’t sleep with bright lights on. Turn the lights off completely or use very dim lights if you must.
3. Take a shower before you go to sleep. This helps you fall asleep better.
4. Try reading a book in bed if you find sleeping a bit tough with your mind wandering off here and there.
5. Listen to soft music while you are in bed. Make sure you don’t listen to something too loud. Use an auto timer to switch the music off automatically after a while.
6. Make sure you are comfortable with the mattress and the bed.
7. Put your phones on silent mode.
8. Drink heaps of water and fluids through the day.
9. Try exercising every day in the morning for around 15 to 20 minutes – simple aerobics.
10. Try meditating before you go to sleep.

These tips can help you give your mind and body the right level of sleep it requires to stay fit and healthy, every day!