Thursday

It’s Thursday! Today, we're taking a look at:

• Why do we need sleep?

• The profound impact sleep can have on our emotions

• An essential kids’ nutrition secret

• The benefits of sleeping in on the weekend for heart health

Why Do We Need Sleep?

Many of us have experienced the awful feeling of not getting enough sleep and being exhausted the next day. We know that sleep is important for all of our physical and mental functions — but why do we need it?

According to science, there are lots of reasons why our bodies depend on sleep (which makes sense why we spend a third of our lives doing it!):

• Body clock: Our bodies’ natural circadian rhythm supports many different functions, including metabolism, hormones, and more. Sleep is crucial to maintaining our circadian rhythms.

• Heart health: Sleep — and enough of it — is critical to our heart health.

• Memories: When we rest, our brains are able to store our memories.

• Healing: As we rest, our bodies release a growth hormone that allows our body tissues to grow and heal.

As we go through the four stages of sleep, our bodies undergo different processes that all support our physical and mental health.

While it may not feel like there are enough hours in the day sometimes to do everything we want to do, remember that sleep is critical for your physical and emotional well-being, and it can be something to look forward to as self-care!

The Profound Way Sleep Impacts Our Emotions

It turns out that waking up on the wrong side of the bed may have some truth to it — our sleep can actually impact the way we feel throughout the day.

In fact, a lack of sleep can cause our brains to be hyperactive.

This can mean that our brains can make our emotions run on overdrive, and there’s not a natural communication between parts of our brain to slow it down as there would be if we were well-rested.

Delicious Nutrition Your Kids Will Love

We all know how important it is for kids to get the right nutrition to support their growth, energy, and overall well-being. But let’s be real — filling in the gaps can be tricky sometimes. That’s where Hiya comes in!

They’ve created a chewable vitamin that’s not only packed with goodness but is also free from all the junk found in most children’s vitamins. It’s an easy (and yummy) way to give your kids the nourishment they need.

Why we love Hiya:

• Made with zero sugar.

• Features a blend of twelve organic fruits and veggies, along with fifteen essential vitamins and minerals like D, B12, and Zinc.

• This powerful formula helps with everything from boosting their immune system to supporting brain health — and even the pickiest eaters love it!

• What’s even better? Hiya is non-GMO, vegan, and allergy-friendly, making it perfect for kids 2 and up.

Your first order comes with a fun, eco-friendly bottle that your child can decorate with stickers, and then eco-friendly refills get sent each month to keep them stocked with all the nutrients they need.

At Note To Self, our kids are obsessed with Hiya, and we love that they’re getting top-notch nutrition without any harmful additives. Plus, for even more health support, be sure to check out Hiya’s new kids’ probiotic and nighttime essentials.

We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/NOTETOSELF.

This deal is not available on their regular website. Go to hiyahealth.com/NOTETOSELF and get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults.

Thank you to Hiya for sponsoring Note To Self. 

How Sleeping More on Weekends Can Benefit Our Heart Health

When we get too little sleep during the week, many of us naturally want to sleep in when the weekend arrives.

According to a new study, this may not only be a way to feel more rested — it may also benefit our heart health.

The study followed people over a period of 14 years and found that those who got the most “compensatory sleep” on the weekends — meaning they slept in more to account for “lost sleep” during the week — were 19% less likely to have heart disease.

This shows the truly healing power of sleep.

Experts caution, however, that getting to sleep in a little extra on the weekends does not mean you should skimp on sleep during the week. Long-term sleep deprivation can have some intense impacts on our health, including high blood pressure, heart attack, depression, and more.

Getting regular, consistent rest is critical to our overall mental and physical well-being, so it should be a self-care priority.

A Note From Us

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: 66%, or 2 in 3 young people, do not talk about their mental health problems or seek treatment. Remember that you are not alone.

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: While sleeping in on the weekends can help our bodies for many reasons, remember it isn't a substitute for consistently poor sleep habits during the week.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!