LIVING WELL “Sleep is important to our health and our wellness and to being the best that we can be and to being engaged in our lives” Stacy Peterson, NBC-HWC, Wellness Coach, works within Mayo Clinic’s Healthy Living Center in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Peterson consults with patients within the Mayo Clinic Executive Health Program, which serves as a preventive health programme for busy executives in the demanding stages of their careers. The Mayo Clinic Executive Health Program is available at four locations: Rochester; Jacksonville, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; and London. JULIAN RENTZSCH just had some concerns or worries or other things that kept you up,” Peterson says. “What do you notice the next day? Tired, cranky, sluggish, lack of focus, physical issues like headaches or stomach aches? It manifests a little differently in each of us, but all of these things are heavy and burdensome. It shows what we already know – that sleep is important to our health and our wellness and to being the best that we can be and to being engaged in our lives.” Sleep is a time for our bodies and brains to be restored. During sleep, hormones are regulated, learning is stored and toxins are eliminated (among other things) making it a crucial consideration for our daily functioning and performance. To improve your sleep, particularly when travelling, there are a few very simple steps that Peterson recommends: 1. Stick to a schedule. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, including weekends and across time zones. If you’re unable to fall asleep within 20 minutes of going to bed, leave the room and do something relaxing, like reading or listening to music. Go back to bed when you’re tired. 2. Pay attention to what you eat and drink. Avoid large meals within a couple of hours of bedtime. Use caution with nicotine, caffeine and alcohol, as all can disrupt quality sleep. 3. Create a restful environment, even when away from home. Keep any hotel room cool, dark and quiet. Avoid using screens before bedtime. Fans, earplugs and other devices can help create the environment you need. 4. Limit daytime naps. Long sleep in the daytime can interfere with nighttime sleep. Naps should be short and taken earlier in the day if needed. 5. Be physically active. Regular activity can promote better sleep. You don’t have to run marathons each day; simply using a hotel gym and stretching and taking a walk while on a flight make impacts on sleep quality. Be sure to avoid strenuous exercise close to bedtime. 6. Manage worries. Try to resolve worries and concerns before bedtime. Set it aside for tomorrow. Stress management and meditation can also be helpful. “A physician here on our team at Mayo Clinic has a saying, ‘Sleep will find you’. Remind yourself that when you’re tired, sleep will find you,” Peterson shares. “It can be frustrating, but your body knows how to do its thing.” Almost everyone has the occasional sleepless night or a few nights in succession. If you feel your sleep issues go beyond an intermittent occurrence, talk with your physician about some of the issues you face and whether clinical intervention or testing might be appropriate. MAYO CLINIC AND NETJETS NetJets is excited to partner with the Mayo Clinic Executive Health Program to bring expert medical, health, and wellness content that matters to you. With a focus on preventive health and wellness with timely, coordinated access to multidisciplinary care, including advanced diagnostics, state-of-the-art prevention strategies and therapeutics, the Mayo Clinic Executive Health Program provides individualised, comprehensive care to meet the unique needs of business leaders in the demanding stages of their careers. The QR code will lead you to more thorough information about this world-class programme, and your Mayo Clinic Executive Health liaison for NetJets Owners will be happy to answer your questions. 40 NetJets
