Are you still counting sheep?

Sleep. We all need it, but we don’t always prioritize it. Nor is it routinely viewed as a practice of self-care. For many, sleep is the first thing we push aside in order to have more time to ourselves. To stay up and finish a project or binge watch a favorite show after a long day at work.

According to the CDC, 35.2% of all adults in the United States report sleeping on average for less than seven hours per night. Yet, adults between the ages of 18 and 64 need seven to nine hours of sleep per night. How many Z’s are you currently clocking?

I have to admit, as a young adult, I did not prioritize sleep. Sleep to me was something I did at the end of the day (whatever time that happened to be). I didn’t think about how much sleep I was or wasn’t getting. And I definitely didn’t think about its effects on my mental or physical health. If I was up late for days in a row, I’d just plan to sleep in or go to bed early another day. After my first pregnancy and birth, I learned the importance of sleep and the type of torture that perpetual lack of sleep can cause. I dealt with insomnia during pregnancy and lack of sleep post-partum. It stressed my mind and body. 

Now, years later, I consider myself a “sleeper”. I know the importance of sleep and prioritize it most days (there are still occasions where I stay up late or get up super early to complete a task, work out, or have extra time to myself). And, when I do face insomnia, I deal with it head-on.

Sleep isn’t always easy though. Some of us suffer from sleep disorders. There are outside factors that can disrupt or inhibit sleep.

Yet, there are also ways to help prepare the mind and body for sleep and ENCOURAGE a full night’s rest. Some of my favorites include:

-       Moving my body each day
-       Opting outside to improve my circadian rhythm (eat outside, take a walk, outdoor meeting, etc.)
-       Limiting screen time at least one hour before bed
-       Keeping a bedtime routine
-       Mind dump journaling before bed or during the night if dealing with insomnia
-       Calming yoga before bed

What’s your go-to for helping you get a full night’s rest?

In health,

Lindsay Coward, MPH
Founder of Yoga Nut

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