Written by Alexa Rives, MA, LPCC
Sleep is a necessary part of life, and yet our relationship to sleep may not always feel as natural as that truth implies. With a world filled with many distractions, strict routines and deadlines, it can feel easy to push sleep closer to the bottom of our priority lists in favor of the demands of the world. In doing so, however, we risk putting ourselves at the bottom of that list as well. Sleep is a necessary time for our minds and our bodies to be at rest. And, while that might feel a bit on the nose, the significance of that statement ought to be given the weight it is due.
The importance of rest and sleep comes in the way of overall health functioning; physically and mentally. Sleep allows our bodies to repair the heart and blood vessels, synthesize memories, and wash the brain of the natural waste and excess chemicals that come from thinking and doing and feeling all day (NHLBI, 2022). By placing focus on getting sufficient quantity and quality of sleep we offer our bodies the chance to do the work they cannot do during waking hours. Our immune systems, our hormones, our cognitive functioning, and the wellness of our bodies are dependent on sleep.
The phrase sleep hygiene refers to the routines and environmental factors which inform the quality of one’s sleep. While there is a plethora of articles with tips and tricks for getting to sleep faster or getting better quality sleep, something to keep in mind for finding your own best sleep hygiene is that each person has individual needs regarding sleep, and what works for others may not work for you – that’s ok! Though it can be difficult to keep up with whatever the latest influencer is telling us is the “end all be all” of quick fix self-care techniques, the true secret to taking better care of our bodies and of our brains depends on our own individual patterns.
While there are some universally applicable tools for improving sleep – like having a dark and quiet environment, avoiding technology in bed, and maintaining consistent sleeping hours – it’s important to remember that the tools that work the best are the ones we will actually use. To know which tools we will use requires trial, error, and introspection. Offer yourself patience and kindness in the process of developing healthy sleep habits and navigating the natural shifts to sleep patterns that occur throughout the lifespan.
Lists and articles can be a helpful resource for exploring new ways to improve sleep which may not have naturally occurred to you. Keep in mind, however, that the suggestions included are just that – suggestions. As you embark on your journey towards better sleep, I wish you sweet dreams and healthy minds.