Why is sleep so difficult for so many people?

A note from Nancy: I am currently doing a Masters Program in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling and have also joined the American Association of Christian Counselors. They send me regular newsletters and this month sleep was highlighted.

It is interesting that there is a correlation between poor sleep and mental health issues. Sleep is an essential part of mental and physical health. “Lack of sleep or poor sleep has demonstrated links to anxiety, depression, bipolar and other conditions.”

You may not know, but sleep disorders have surged since the pandemic. If you are experiencing sleep issues you are not alone. Many people are presenting to counseling offices with sleep issues.

Children need at least 10 hours of sleep nightly and according to a recent survey, 69% of our kiddos are getting less than 8 hours a night. Adults are getting an average of 6 hours of sleep nightly when we should be getting 7-8 hours. Sleep is so important for processing daily events and regulating emotions and behavior. Make sure you and your family are getting quality and quantity sleep each night. Dr. David Perlmutter MD says “Deep sleep serves as a nightly cleaning service for the brain, to remove toxins and support overall brain health and functionality”

Tips for Improving Your Sleep

A Note from Dr. Dempsey: Sleep is important to us mentally and physically! Here are a few tips for improving your sleep hygiene:

• It helps regulate your body’s internal clock and improves your quality of sleep when you go to bed and get up at the same time everyday.
• It helps your body and mind relax when you take time to wind down and have a sleep-routine. Activities for winding down could include reading a book, taking a warm bath, stretching and deep breathing.
• It is important to avoid electronics and turn off the screens about 30 minutes before bed. The blue light emitted from your devices can interfere with the production of the sleep hormone, melatonin.
• Avoid heavy meals and caffeine close to your bedtime as they can disrupt sleep. Try a light snack instead.
• Exercising regularly is important but it is better to complete your workout a few hours before bedtime.
• Make sure you have a good mattress, good pillows and optimize your sleep environment. Make sure your room is dark, quiet and cool.