Winter Wellness Series: SLEEP π€π₯±π΄
Sleep is crucial for maintaining optimal physical & mental health. It plays a key role in how the body restores & repairs itself, whilst also improving cognitive function, memory, concentration, productivity and overall performance. π§πͺπ§
Lack of sleep plays a direct role in increasing the risk of chronic health conditions like obesity, diabetes and heart disease, while also contributing to development of irritability, anxiety and depression.
Sleep deprivation may also contribute to impairing immune function π¦ 𧬠- which is especially important during the colder months. Start prioritising sleep QUALITY to enhance your wellness!
Keys to optimise your sleep performance π:
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Stick to a sleep schedule: getting into bed and falling asleep at the same time every night help's set the body's biological clock, making it easier to fall asleep.
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Bedroom should be dark, quiet, and cool: Limit distractions, and keep the room cool for optimal sleep.
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Get off screens 30mins before sleep: Blue light from screen use may interfere with melatonin secretion, which is important for sleep. This can also reduce the amount of deep sleep overall, which is important for recovery and restoration.
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Avoid caffeine after 2pm: Caffeine blocks the effects of adenosine, which is a neurotransmitter that makes us feel tired.
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Limit alcohol: Alcohol intake can inhibit REM sleep, which keeps you in lighter stages of sleep for longer.
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Exercise regularly: Exercise for at least 30 minutes per day, but try to avoid exercising 2-3 hours before bedtime to allow the body to relax.
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Would you like a free copy of our February 2025 issue?
Kia ora neighbours. We give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine. We're still on the hunt for tomato recipes, so send your family's favourite way to use up your homegrown harvest, to: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. If we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of the mag
β οΈ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. β οΈ
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
π The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50Β°C in less than 15 minutes.
π Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
π This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
π It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you β€οΈ