Skills
over
Pills™
Sleep Well
Sleep is beyond important for our mental health, as well as physical health. Research shows that sleep is crucial for:
-
Memory and information retention
-
“Cleaning” the brain of waste
-
Body temperature and blood pressure regulation
-
Strong immune system
-
Muscle building and tissue repair
Sleeplessness also increases:
-
Risk for anxiety and depression
-
Suicidal ideations
-
Aggression/bullying
-
Difficulty concentrating
for adolescents and teenagers. Unfortunately, sleep is commonly overlooked – high school and college students need at least 8 hours of sleep to function.
It is important to get the proper quantity of sleep and good quality sleep. Here are some tips on how to sleep well:
-
Go to bed and wake up at the same time, be consistent!
-
Create a bedtime routine
-
Avoid blue light or bright light before bed
-
Don’t exercise or eat too close to bedtime
-
Be aware of how alcohol and caffeine affects your sleep
It is common for someone to suffer from insomnia, or the difficulty to fall/stay asleep, at one point or another in their lifetime. Start by adjusting your sleep habits if you are struggling with insomnia. If it persists or worsens, discuss with your doctor what the next steps to help you sleep better can be.
Want to learn more? Recommendations on this topic:
Books:
-
Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker