Wellness Wednesday: The 'R' in DESTRESS—Rest as a Pillar of Health 🌙

LISA WISE • January 21, 2026

Wellness Wednesday: The 'R' in DESTRESS—Rest as a Pillar of Health 🌙

We’ve fueled up with Diet, moved with Exercise, handled our Stress, and cleared out Toxins. This week, we begin a new series on the most restorative letter in the DESTRESS Protocol: R is for Rest.


A show of hands… how many of you are feeling that "January Slump"? Between the shorter days and the gray, gloomy weather, it’s the perfect storm for a disrupted circadian rhythm. If you’ve been feeling a bit like you’re living with permanent jet lag, you are not alone!


The Anatomy of a "Good Night's Rest"


Sleep impacts everything—from your mood and mindset to your ability to focus and even how your body moves. To improve your sleep Step-by-Step, we first have to understand what we are measuring:


  • Quantity: The total amount of time you spent actually asleep. (Ideal Goal: 7–9 hours).


  • Latency: How long it takes you to fall asleep once the lights are out. (Ideal Goal: Under 30 minutes).


  • Efficiency: The percentage of time in bed that you are actually sleeping. (Goal: 85% or higher).


  • Wakefulness: The total time you spend awake after initially falling asleep. (Goal: Less than 20 minutes).


Moving Toward "Sleep Smarter"


One of my favorite resources on this is Shawn Stevenson, author of Sleep Smarter. He calls sleep the "force multiplier" for all your other healthy habits. Next week, we’ll dive into his specific advice on how to maximize your sleep quality and stop the habits that might be accidentally sabotaging your rest.


Ready to Optimize Your Foundation?


Whether you are looking for Private Wellness Coaching to balance your hormones or an Employee Wellness Program to help your team thrive, I am here to help you find your way back to vibrant health.


👉 Explore my programs and book a consultation here: www.step-by-stepwellness.com


Please feel free to share this with friends, family, or co-workers—anyone you feel may benefit from a better night’s rest.


Until next week, remember: There is always a healthy(er) choice.


Hugs and Health,

Lisa

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