Daily Rest

Is it time to rest yet? For our favourite pet it isn't a decision they make lightly. They've gone about their business, had breakfast, lunch, supper, played, had a walk or maybe even chased a bird or barked at a mailman. Their day has been full and now it is time for them to take a nap in the arms of their favourite person or maybe curled up on their cushion or in their bed.

People, on the other hand, can have a much more difficult time falling asleep. The issues associated with sleep can include anxiety, stress, pain, and sleep associated disorders in addition to pets in our bed.

Most humans, to put it plainly, are simply not as blessed when it comes to resting as our animal friends. We allow our worries to get in our way and impact our sleep. We allow our activities and our eating habits to get into our way as well. Even our health issues impact how we sleep and rest.

How is it that our animal counterparts fall asleep and rest with greater ease when it seems to take us eons to fall asleep?

Animals are much more accepting of their place in the universe than we are. Animals follow three rules of the universe:

1. Eat when hungry,

2. Rest when energy is low, and

3. Sleep when tired.

Animals understand that when their energy is low it is not a good idea to waste their energy by continuing to expend energy unnecessarily. By lowering their stance they can conserve energy thus, they will move from sitting in an upright position and into a lowered position and will lie down instead. This lowered position is much better in terms of the level of energy consumption and allows the animal to rejuvenate their mind, body and soul.

When it comes time for the body to be rejuvenated the animal's body must be shut down. It is something that must occur in order for the body to heal properly. Animals suffer physical stress and have feelings as a result of being sentient beings. It is yet unknown exactly how many sleep issues exist with animals and how widespread these issues truly are as a result of these issues being unreported by pets.

What we do know about sleep concerns is that when sleep concerns are suspected it is usually a result of reported behavioural and/or health concerns that have been reported.