Sleep

Many people have trouble sleeping at some point in the life. Some find it difficult to get to sleep, some find it hard staying asleep through the night, others unintentionally wake early.

Is there a right amount of sleep? Most adults function best when they have had 7or 8 hours sleep, but some people function well on 6 hours and others need 9 hours. The “right amount” of sleep varies from person to person. If you wake feeling rested and function well most days, you are most likely getting enough sleep. At some particularly busy or stressful times, people may benefit from additional sleep.

What happens if we don’t get enough sleep?  People can function on decreased sleep for short time, but over longer periods of time it effects mental health, cognitive functioning and emotional well-being. Ongoing compromised sleep can affect physical and social health.

Should I be worried if I don’t get enough sleep? Worrying makes sleeping less likely. Try to do something relaxing and during dal light hours, make a plan to help you sleep routine.

What can I do to help my sleeping patterns? Some simple things include not having caffeine for several hours prior to bedtime, having a regular bed time routine, not doing anything to stimulating close to bed time (like watching an exciting movie or problem solving), limiting screen time in the hours prior to bed, writing down thoughts that keep you awake, and doing relaxation at bed time.

What if these things don’t work? There can be psychological and emotional reasons why people find it difficult to sleep. Talking with a psychologist can help.