The connection between sleep and health is real. It impacts every one of us. We know that
a good night's sleep makes you feel better, but its importance goes way beyond just boosting your mood or banishing under-eye circles. Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, and can benefit your heart, weight, mind, and more. Insufficient sleep is linked to a host of health problems, from depression to cardiovascular disease.
The National Sleep Foundation has studied the importance of sleep for over 30 years. They provide valuable tips and tricks that can help you sleep better naturally. One of their studies shows that stress adds to poor sleep.
People with less stress report better sleep
According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2022 Sleep in America® Poll, lower levels of stress are strongly associated with higher quality sleep. Among those surveyed, Americans who consider themselves in better overall health and who report lower stress levels also report better sleep health.
Clearly, there are larger, demographic factors affecting people’s overall health and stress and the impact of stress on healthy sleep. Moreover, health and stress management are entire fields that go well beyond sleep health alone. But there is a strong connection between overall health and sleep health, so taking a few simple steps toward healthier sleep can set you on a more positive path toward less stress and overall well-being.
Start with adopting bedtime behaviors that are proven to promote healthier sleep. They will train your mind and body to recognize that it’s time to prepare for sleep—like tapping into the circadian muscle memory that is hard-wired into us.
The NSF suggests adopting some new habits into your daily routine to see if they help your overall sleep patterns. One of these habits is to practice relaxation.
Some of these relaxation techniques include:
Breathing exercises
Meditation
A warm bath
Journaling
Darkened, cool room
Choosing cozy, comfy bed linens
These are helpful activities that allow you to wind down from the day’s events, and slip into comfortable relaxation.
NSF goes on to say that even smells can help calm your senses—essential oils in scents like lavender can get you to that relaxed state of mind.
San Clemente Bath Company has some fabulous products that can help you in your relaxation journey to a better nights' sleep. Our skin softening soaks and bubbling bath salts are infused with pure essential oils that relax the mind and body when added to a warm bath.
Our Aromatherapy Mist will also assist in relaxation. It can be sprayed onto your skin, pat a small amount on your temples, and even use it as a pillow mist and breathe in the calming scent of lavender and bergamot to help you drift off into quiet and peaceful sleep, so you may wake up feeling refreshed and revived.
These few steps added to your daily routine should make an impactful difference in your sleep patterns. Sweet dreams!