The Importance of Sleep

If one is fortunate, approximately a third of their life is spent asleep. The process of resting the body and rebalancing emotions is deemed one of the best practices for physical and emotional health, making it imperative to consider sleep patterns.

Many individuals believe they never dream; however, in reality, everyone dreams, particularly during R.E.M. sleep. These dreams serve a crucial purpose - to fulfill unmet emotional expectations from the preceding day. Emotional needs that remain unmet and expectations left unfulfilled prompt various clever aspects of the mind to engage in metaphorical dreaming, aiming to rebalance emotions and leave individuals feeling refreshed upon waking.

Navigating the Mind's Challenges: The Impact on Sleep and Well-being

Impact of Sleep

Where complications may arise is in the difficulty our minds face in distinguishing between real and imaginary disasters, especially for those prone to worrying and possessing vivid imaginations. In such cases, the brain may convince itself that the catastrophic scenarios created during the day have actually occurred. Retiring to sleep, the individual's emotional arousal becomes a pressure cooker, resulting in an excess of R.E.M. sleep needed to address unmet emotional needs. Consequently, the body lacks sufficient rest, and the reality generator becomes overworked. Individuals wake up exhausted, struggling to get out of bed, losing interest in activities that once brought pleasure. The cycle repeats, accompanied by the added concern of inadequate sleep, leading to potential stress and depression if left unaddressed.

The mobile app Better recognizes the significance of quality sleep for overall well-being. It offers support and resources to enhance understanding of sleep patterns and address potential issues through expert guidance, audio aids, and comprehensive well-being assessments.

For those experiencing difficulties with sleep, it's common for them to underestimate their actual sleep duration. Disregard the clock and remain disinterested in the time until the alarm signals waking time. Keeping eyes closed is crucial, as opening them exposes the mind to a surge of stimuli akin to switching a TV from standby to full-on high definition.

Challenging negative thoughts is recommended, with an emphasis on envisioning significant success. This isn't an endorsement of blind optimism but a strategy to counteract negative fantasies that disrupt sleep. Positive expectations, framed as positive fantasies, foster an environment conducive to peaceful and restful sleep.

To optimize sleep quality, it's advised to minimize brain stimulation for at least two hours before bedtime. Avoiding startling content on TV and opting for books that don't evoke excitement or suspense is beneficial. Moreover, being mindful of the light emitted from TV screens is crucial, as it inhibits the release of melatonin, a natural chemical that helps deactivate circuits needed for wakefulness.

Measures for better sleep

Measures for better sleep

Strongly resist the temptation to self-medicate with alcohol, or anything else. Alcohol may make you feel a bit drowsy, and offer the illusion of a good night’s sleep. However, it also has a tendency to suppress R.E.M. sleep, and you may well awaken feeling rested after a long sleep, but you may not have emptied that buffer of unhelpful emotional arousal. Small stressors during the day may then have a disproportionate effect on you, as you woke up already highly aroused.

Leave your technology out of the bedroom. Having your phone by the bed in case something important appears on antisocial media is a signal that all is not well in your life, and may be worth further examination and discussion.

Limit the caffeine you take during the evening – it is a stimulant.

Take exercise, but take it before noon. Hide your clock, and just set the alarm for when it’s time to get up.

Make your bedroom cooler at night and keep that space just for sleeping, mainly.…!

Reflexology soundtracks that are also available from the Better Stop Suicide mobile application can help you feel a relaxing and peaceful sleep. It’s not hypnosis, but it will just guide you to a restful night.

Drift off into a peaceful and relaxing night's sleep with the Better app guided audios. Designed to help you relax and ease your mind, enjoy guided sleep audios by world-leading mental health experts every week when you subscribe to the Better app paid plan.

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Rules for better life

@ryan_holiday

9 short rules for a better life.

♬ Night Trouble - Petit Biscuit

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