Healthy Days Ahead

Sleepy
Originally uploaded by craigmdennis

Last Christmas, my husband had a really bad case of pneumonia. When I look back on it, I realize how close to death he came. On Christmas day this year, I was most grateful for his health. I didn't care about the gifts; his health was the best gift. That may sound corny, but as soon as someone in your immediate family deals with any sort of serious illness, you understand how much their health (and even yours) is something you should never take for granted.


If you have at least one person who loves you (and I'm sure you have more than that), you need to be healthy for them. Taking care of your health will not only make your life easier, it will make their lives easier too.


One easy way to take care of your health: get to bed earlier.


My husband says that everyone in my family loves to sleep...and he's right. My dad used to wake us up super early to either take care of farm animals or go to early-morning seminary. We were always functioning on less sleep than most kids. Since then, I've always craved sleep like a recovering alcoholic craves a good, stiff drink. When I get a good night's sleep, I feel like a new woman. Try going to bed even 30 minutes earlier than you normally do and see how you feel. Do it for your family.