Our bodies need rest.  They were not made to live in a sleep deprived state, which is where many of us try to function on a daily basis.  (New parents get a pass for daily functioning in a sleep deprived state.) Society would have us believe that we do not need extended periods of sleep, but our bodies tell us otherwise. Sleep deprivation eventually impacts other areas of our lives.  It can impact how well we do our jobs and our relationships can become strained.

The basics:  Set a routine. Dim the lights.  (This allows your body’s natural chemicals to kick in and let you know it is time to wind down and rest.)  Turn off the electronics.  Computers, television.  Ideally, an hour or more before bedtime is best. An exception would be listening to music.  Quiet music.  Nothing that will get your adrenaline going.  Ditto for violent shows, which usually includes the late evening news.  Part of your routine might be a cup of tea (decaffeinated) or reading a book (save the mysteries for the daytime hours).  If you lie in bed for more than 15 minutes, and cannot sleep, you are probably not tired. (Think about how much physical exercise you are getting each day too – too much or too little impact sleep.)

If lack of sleep is common for you, there may be other factors involved.  When we are in a stressful situation in our lives or are grieving something or someone, it is natural to have interrupted sleep.  Sometimes it may be best to seek help from a professional.  I suggest starting with the basics.

Marlayne Whitlock, LAPC
mwhitlock@ GROWcounseling.com