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sleep hygiene skills

Sleep Hygiene: Understanding & Coping With Sleep Debt

Sleep Hygiene: Understanding & Coping With Sleep Debt

Sleep is a crucial part of our lives, and it’s essential for good health. However, in today’s fast-paced society, it’s easy to get caught up in a cycle of sleep debt.  Sleep debt is a term used to describe the cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep over time. This can happen if we consistently go to bed late and wake up early, or if we have poor sleep quality. When we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies start to accumulate a sleep debt, which can lead to a range of physical and mental health problems.

The Connection Between Sleep & Mental Health

The Connection Between Sleep & Mental Health

Why is sleep so important? Sleep is a critical aspect of our overall wellbeing both physically & mentally. There are two major phases of brain activity during sleep that we cycle through every night. These are called Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) & Rapid Eye Movement (REM). During NREM sleep, the brain slows down which results in decreased eye movement & muscle activity. This is when the brain is preparing the mind & body to enter into a state of deep sleep. About 1-2 hours after NREM, we enter into REM sleep. This is when activity in the brain increases at a rapid speed & usually results in vivid dreaming! Throughout the night we go in & out of these two phases of sleep.

Get Good Sleep: Tips for Improving Sleep Hygiene

Get Good Sleep: Tips for Improving Sleep Hygiene

Sleep is essential and it allows your body and mind to recharge, to feel refreshed and alert. Good sleep hygiene helps the body remain healthy and improves your immune system. Without proper sleep, the brain can not function properly. Keep reading for tips on getting better sleep.

Getting Good Sleep: Tips on Improving Sleep Quality

Getting Good Sleep: Tips on Improving Sleep Quality

Do you ever find yourself lying in bed for hours on end, staring at the ceiling, and not being able to fall asleep? Finding yourself to be tossing and turning, watching the time pass by? Now think about how you feel the next day: groggy? Grumpy? Finding it difficult to concentrate or motivate yourself? Maintaining a good sleep schedule is beneficial for both physical and mental health. Adults between the ages of 18- 64 require 7-9 hours of sleep per night for sufficient sleep and energy, yet research shows that approximately 35.2% of American adults do not get enough sleep (Suni, 2021). If you find yourself in this percentage, it is important to begin to practice good sleep hygiene.