The Importance of Sleep

A+women+sleeps+licensed+for+Creative+Commons.

A women sleeps licensed for Creative Commons.

Have you ever experienced trouble falling asleep, difficulty with nightmares, or possible night terrors?

For almost 2 months now, I’ve been suffering from nightmares. Lack of sleep made it hard to focus in class, stay awake, and it impeded in all other areas of life.

Recently, on November 19, 2020, I truly woke up. Suddenly, I felt so motivated and started wanting to do school and homework.

I have discovered a few remedies for these nightmares and wanted to show what works for me. Hopefully, these help people who have had experiences like mine.

In general, the best way to get better sleep is to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Living this lifestyle will allow your body to get the movement it needs to tire itself out.

However, Let’s talk about more specific ways you can get better sleep.

Cat snuggles up, looking tired. Licensed for Creative Commons.

Use a Weighted Blanket

Waking up on the morning of November 19, 2020, I felt amazingly better after sleeping with a weighted blanket; I finally had a good dream too.

Now, what’s so special about a weighted blanket?

According to Healthline.com: Do Weighted Blankets Work?

The main benefits relief of pain, less anxiety, and improved mood.

Another benefit of weighted blankets, in my opinion, is that they feel like someones hugging you. To me, that feeling is very comforting.

Weighted blankets can get very expensive but some alternatives are making them yourself.

For example, Mary Elizabeth Peake is a seamstress that provides many clothing, blankets, and other objects to customers that request them.

Sleeping female

She has talked to medical professionals about sleep to perfect her weighted blankets and starting November 11, Peake has started a new weighted blanket, that she is working hard to finish.

Peake has several insights into the making of weighted blankets, the benefits, and how to buy one.

“The benefits outweigh the cons, it helps with lessening anxiety. I recommend them for children with special needs…They are a pain in the tush to make but are well worth the labor, and [it is] definitely cost-effective to make one on your own. The professionally made ones cost up to $400-$500, especially if custom made, they can get very expensive,” Peake explained.

“Melatonin [can] be a cause for nightmares. I go to bed at a reasonable hour with no electronics and in a dark room. If necessary, yoga or meditation, music helps, [also],” Peake added.

According to Healthline,  the benefits are: “…the effectiveness of weighted blankets for sleep issues related to Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, Insomnia, and other sleep disorders, Osteoarthritis, and Chronic pain…”

The bottom line, however, weighted blankets can be used as a sort of at-home therapy.

If trying out a weighted blanket, be sure the weight is 10% less than your own body weight so it’s not so heavy on your body.

Reduce Blue Light Exposure In The Evening

Blue light exposure can mess with your immune system, eyesight, and sleep schedule. Many people tend to stay up on electronics such as television, laptops, cell phones, and many electronics in general.

According to Blue Light and Sleep: What’s the Connection? ,  ” The use of artificial lighting and electronics at night may contribute to sleep problems. These devices emit blue  wavelength, which may trick your brain into thinking it’s daytime, which inhibits the production of melatonin and reduces both quality and quantity of sleep.”

Blue light can also affect your immune system, sleep cycle, and put a strain on your eyes.

Connect with your Dog

A mother dog next to her puppy.

 

The last sleep remedy I would love to discuss is dogs. Believe it or not, dogs have many positive effects on sleep and those with mental illnesses.

According to Casper.com, there are many ways dogs help with sleep and mental illnesses. The first topic they talk about is Reducing Depression. It states:

“If simply interacting with a dog can treat depression, imagine what sleeping next to one can do! Their presence helps us relax and increases our flow of oxytocin, the love chemical. This essentially makes your dog a living antidepressant!”

They also reduce stress. The article continues:

A Canaan Puppy

“Have you heard of ‘The Pet Effect’? It’s the phenomenon which involves reduced levels of stress and anxiety while your pet is around. In fact, 74 percent of pet owners report improvement in their mental health from pet ownership. As we mentioned before, cuddling with your pet leads to the release of oxytocin, the chemical that reduces stress and elevates your mood. It can also help lower your heart rate, lower the stress chemical cortisol and ultimately help you get a better night’s rest.”

I hope these tips prove helpful for getting better sleep. If you do these techniques I bet you’ll see improvement. Have fantastic dreams everyone! If you want to find out what other options there are you can visit 17 Proven Tips to Sleep Better at Night or check out Sleeping With Your Dog: 13 Science-Backed Up Tips.