Better Snooze, Fewer Blues: Sleep Hygiene 101
Category: Misc.
Feeling tired might be THE most universal emotion there is. But next time you’re feeling down, check yourself. Maintaining good sleep hygiene can be key to staying mentally strong.
Topic Of Discussion
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that sleep habits affect mental health. If you’ve ever been grumpy the day after a slumber party, or if you have a new baby, or your precious pup needs to be let out every day at the crack of dawn…you already know.
Feeling tired might just be THE most universal emotion. But next time you’re feeling down, check yourself. We all have nights when it’s especially tough to get to sleep, but maintaining good sleep hygiene when you can is key to staying physically and mentally strong.
Try these tips for getting to sleep, staying asleep, and having the most restful sleep possible.
Stick to a schedule
Hit pause before starting that next episode of your Netflix binge. A consistent bedtime helps your body know when it’s time to go into Do Not Disturb mode (that’s right, not just for your phone – though you should probably put it on silent right about now too!) No matter how strong the temptation to stay awake, you’ll thank yourself tomorrow for hitting the hay on schedule.
It’s all about the wind down
Got those devices on silent and the TV turned off? Keep on winding down. Find out what helps your brain relax. Is it your skincare routine? Reading a chapter of your book? Sipping some herbal tea? Maybe a combo of all of the above? It’s up to you as long as it clears your mind.
Be kind to yourself
So, you’ve stuck to your bedtime and wound down? It’s time for the big finale. That’s right, it’s time to GO TO SLEEP. You’ve got this. Time to put your good habits to the test…
Here’s hoping they’ve worked great and you conk right out. If not, it’s okay. Good sleep habits are like any other habits: they take some time to implement. Give yourself twenty minutes or so, and if you’re still not snoozing, take a break. Do something soothing until you feel tired, and then try again. This isn’t a contest, only an opportunity to feel that much better tomorrow.
Wrapping it up
Basic sleep habits can be developed, but chronic sleep deprivation can be serious and less easy to control. If sleep hygiene basics still aren’t helping, it’s okay to get support. Our therapists at Tri-Star can get to the bottom of what’s keeping you awake, so you can get back on track.
