It has been scientifically proven that the healthy amount of sleep we need to get as adults is 7-8 hours of sleep. As a college student in the age of digital entertainment, my sleep routine is not healthy. I either get too much sleep or too little. Recently, I have been going to sleep too late and sleeping in too late. This is something I have been wanting to change for a while now, and what better time than the present to do that? If you want to join me in working on a healthy sleep schedule and routine, keep on reading as I provide the benefits of getting a good night’s sleep. I will also provide examples of habits you might want to incorporate into your everyday routine to maintain a healthier sleep schedule.
It is important to get a certain amount of hours of sleep, but also a good quality sleep. A good night’s rest has many benefits for a person both physically and mentally. A lack of good-quality sleep has been proven to increase anxiety, depression, stress, and irritation. It also blocks our mental processing which can disrupt mental and emotional reactions. Some of the mental benefits include reduced stress, improved mood, increased attention span, and a boost in memory and learning. Getting a good night’s sleep also improves the immune system, resulting in getting sick less often. Additionally, it nurtures growth and heart health as well as decreasing the risk of injury.
So what habits should we be incorporating into our daily schedules to help us get better sleep? I am guilty of engaging in late-night snacking, however, this can prevent you from falling asleep at a decent hour. We should avoid eating snacks and sugar as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine at night as it can be detrimental to sleep. I am also guilty of mindlessly scrolling on my phone in bed right before trying to sleep. This disrupts sleep as the blue light from the screen keeps the brain active and awake. It has been said that putting electronic devices away two hours before bed is ideal as it allows your brain to calm down and unwind. Some other helpful tips to get better sleep are to sleep in a dark room, keep the room cool, engage in physical activity or workouts earlier in the day, and set a consistent bedtime routine.
Setting a bedtime schedule is essential to stay in a consistent routine for your body to get used to. This means that we should be going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time so that we get an equal amount of sleep every night. Before falling asleep, engage in an easy activity that will help your body and brain unwind and calm down. This can include doing skin care, reading, or journaling.
If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, sleep disorders, or other mental health issues and want to speak to a professional counselor, please feel free to contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000. We are located at 6819 167th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477. We would be happy to be of service.
References
https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/healthy-living/mental-health-and-relationships/get-enough-sleep
Written By: Emme D.
Undergrad Intern 2024
CounselingMatters.live 
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