Sleep Barriers
In our relentless pursuit of success, we often overlook the one essential aspect that fuels our ability to persevere – sleep. Just as we conquer obstacles and overcome struggles, we can triumph over poor sleep routines and hygiene, dispelling fatigue, memory loss, and overeating. Let's explore three common sleep barriers that may be hindering us from achieving those precious 7 to 9 hours of restorative sleep.
Barrier 1: The Desire for More Sleep
Yearning for more sleep is a common sentiment, yet a reliance based on stimulants can hinder a pursuit of deep, quality rest. From that morning cup of caffeine to sugar rushes for quick energy, resorting to social media or constantly saying 'yes' can become temporary stimuli as methods for staying alert. However, your body operates best when in sync with natural daylight patterns. By adopting structured and scheduled sleep hygiene tactics, you can align sleep with your biological clock, enabling longer and deeper slumber.
Barrier 2: The Fear of Over-Sleeping
At times, we've all delayed heading to bed for various reasons, only to endure the consequences the following day. Denying your fatigue, engaging in more work after dinner, or succumbing to screen time in bed are all factors that contribute to sleep deprivation. Harvard Health highlights a connection between dreaming and improved memory, which requires entering non-REM sleep. Establishing a 45-minute winding-down routine can set the stage for quality sleep and the benefits it offers, including enhanced memory.
Barrier 3: The Loathing of Sleep
A fixation on external cues rather than internal cues can thwart the desire to sleep. Prioritizing others-needs over “my-needs” type of goals, financial pressures, excessive screen time, and the consumption of food all disrupt natural sleep patterns. Unknown to many, sleep is when your brain regenerates new cells, and around 7.5 hours of sleep emerges as the optimal "sweet-spot" for organ function and disease prevention.
In any quest to thrive, do not underestimate the restorative power of sleep. You’ve surmounted many life's hurdles, so you can conquer sleep barriers and ensure your body and mind is equipped to embrace each day with vigor.
Questions to consider.
Which of the three sleep barriers is relatable?
What is one clear, concrete, simple action step to practice reducing that barrier?
How might you track your progress?
