Anyone who has ever experienced a rough night’s sleep knows just how precious every minute of shut-eye can be. Unfortunately, few of us realize that sleeping only an hour less each night can have profound negative consequences for our mental health. Sleep-deprivation, or a general lack of rest impacts the way we feel about ourselves. It also affects our emotional reactivity and our overall state of mind, all of which are crucial in determining our mental well-being and even physical health. Therefore, anyone dealing with regular symptoms of anxiety and depression, must be prioritizing rest.
Make The Time
In a world that can often feel non-stop, allocating adequate time to rest and unwind can present as a challenge. However, there are a few changes we can make daily to free up more time for rest and relaxation. Our environment is a great place to start, as it can set a positive tone for how we develop beneficial resting and sleeping habits.
Essential Touches For A Peaceful Habitat
It is essential to create an environment that encourages rest and enables sleep. Light, natural colors on the walls will support in creating a non-arousing environment. Diffusing essential oils such as lavender has been shown to support in fostering a tranquil setting. For sleeping, studies have found that individuals sleep best in a cool, dark room they feel most comfortable in. So, it’s worth investing in some blackout shades and an ideal mattress. According to BedTester.com, the type of mattress you choose plays a huge factor in sleep. It’s important to consider these when making your selection, such as your favorite sleep position or body type.
Make It Your Own
Each of us is an individual. As such, will experience emotions, be they positive or negative, in our own unique way. Just as we all have our own unique approaches for how we deal with challenging emotions or thoughts, we all have different ideas on what we find helps us relax in our personal space. Perhaps you require perfect peace and quiet, while others may enjoy listening to calming background music or sipping on a warm drink. Contemplate your preferences, and be sure to incorporate them when designing your space; the key here is to feel compelled and excited to enjoy your personalized, restful environment as much as possible.
Ensuring that we get enough rest and sleep is a crucial step in supporting good mental health. By implementing simple changes to our environment, we can encourage positive sleeping habits. This allows you to make a valuable contribution towards achieving a more balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Originally published at Anxiety Gone.
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