Are you getting enough sleep? Experts recommend that we should be getting a full eight hours every night but not all of us can attest to that. In fact, research reveals that many of us are not getting the recommended amount on a regular basis.
As we near the end of the week, our minds turn to rest. Despite the busy plans we may have lined up for the weekend ahead, for many of us, it's still a form of respite, a departure from our weekly routine and a chance to catch up on some much needed sleep.
As much as we place great emphasis on doing more – buying more, working more, travelling more – there's also a lot to be said for doing less, and even doing nothing at all. With such relentless schedules and high pressured lives, we have to make more of a conscious decision to get a good night's sleep.
Your workplace is unlikely to be introducing nap pods in the office as Huffington Post and a number of other thoroughly modern organisations have done in recent years. In the meantime, we can always turn to scripture for some soothing words about sleep.
A lot of the time our worries and our desire to be in control of everything impact the quality and length of our sleep. If we trust in God to help us manage our whatever is troubling us and accept that He's fully in control, we're well on our way to getting a good rest.
If you're struggling to get enough shut-eye, try reading some of these to unwind just before you go to bed.
Psalm 127:2 - In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Proverbs 3:24 - When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Job 11:19 - You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favour.
Psalm 4:8 - In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Matthew 8:24 - Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
Psalm 3:5 - I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
Genesis 2:21 - So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and then closed up the place with flesh.
Ecclesiastes 5:12 - The sleep of a labourer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.
Psalm 121:3-4 - He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
