Try an Unexpected Technique a Sleep Doctor Swears By
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Its also been three months since Ive had a good nights sleep without pharmaceutical intervention.
I dont think my pandemic insomnia is a coincidence, eitherand a sleep doctor agrees.
She says this was likely initially due to an increase in stress.
When stress happens, our bodies have a natural reaction to not sleep, Dr. Harris says.
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Think about fight or flightthats basically what our bodies are doing.
Yes, there are stressors, but there are also behavioral changes, she explains.
And then theres self-medication to make it aid sleep via alcohol, cannabis, and over-the-counter or prescription meds.
Below, she shares her tips for getting your sleep back on track, pandemic be damned.
6 sleep-doctor-approved for saying goodnight to your pandemic insomnia
1.
Return to routine
Be consistent with bedtimes and wake timeswake time is really key, Dr. Harris says.
Then, get up when it goes off,no matter how tired you are.
Re-think your news consumption
News can be seriously anxiety-inducing, and anxiety is not a friend to sleep.
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Get light exposure first thing in the a.m.
Were meant to have light during the day and darkness at night, Dr. Harris says.
Its really that simple, and sometimes we overthink it.
bring up the shades, eat breakfast in the light, Dr. Harris says.
Turn off overheads in favor of lamps and again, limit your screen exposure.
Dr. Harris notes that this schedule isnt possible for everyone and that she herself is a morning exerciser.
Doing so wont hurt your sleepit just also wont necessarily help it.
Consistency is really what helps the most, she adds.
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