Often, the missing link in our health can be summarized in one word - sleep. It plays a role in our day-to-day productivity at work, our social skills and sense of well being. Despite its importance, good refreshing sleep remains an unsolved mystery for some people. There are times when you can fall asleep without knowing it and others when you can't sleep no matter how hard you try.

Increasingly, more and more individuals are sleep deprived or get poor sleep. Does this happen to you? The fact is, it will show in your work and different aspects of your life at some point. It is time to make a change and the following techniques can help boost your energy levels and restore the rightful place of sleep in your day and life. You will start to wake up happy, contented and refreshed each morning ready to face a new day of challenges.

So wake up to the importance of sleep with the following techniques!

1. WARM UP BEFORE TURNING IN..

Researchers have proposed that an increase in body temperature three to five hours before retiring to bed can measurably deepen sleep - Try 5 minutes of moderate exercise, within 3 to 5 hours of bedtime can probably help achieve this.

2. SCENTS AND SENSIBILITY.

Pleasing fragrance can help you to take slower, deeper breaths and become more relaxed and fresh. Try setting up a small container of naturally scented pottery, or some perfumes close to the bed and see if it makes a difference to the quality of your rest.

3. PLAN A GENTLE AWAKENING.

The biggest mistake is a shrill first alarm first thing in the morning! Try slow, relaxing, positive music, set with a timer. Adjust the volume just loud enough so that you'll notice it when you awake can, which gives you a warm and gentle start to the day. Invest in such an alarm. When you wake up, spend the first few minutes just lying in bed rather than jumping out of bed. Set the alarm 10 minutes earlier than usual in order to save time for this. Stretch your muscles, and blink your eyes. This can have a very positive impact on your mood and energy levels for the rest of the day.

4. PERFECT TIMING.

Finally try to wake up at approximately the same time every morning. This minimizes any disruption in biological rhythm. When you do choose to sleep for a few more hours, it's a good idea to limit your extra time in bed to not more than an hour. Try opening the curtains to expose yourself to sunlight as soon as you wake up. This is a great way to start your day.

All these measures will normalize biological rhythm and stabilize sleep patterns. This will have a huge impact on your life. It's time to wake up to the importance of sleep!