Sleep Articles

Not sleeping well can have a huge impact on our ability to function at peak performance and our general state of mind. Insomnia can enormously degrade a person’s quality of life. While medication can certainly knock a person out, this also means only treating the surface problem without taking care of the root causes of insomnia.

Insomnia affects a large number of people. It can be the result of poor habits, issues which are bothering you, or even the environment you sleep in. Talking to a sleep therapist can help you to identify what is keeping you from getting valuable rest, as discussed in more detail in the articles below.

What Is Depression Insomnia?

If you have read anything about depression, you are probably aware that a common symptom is an insomnia. You may know that insomnia is a condition that makes you unable...

What Happens If I Have Sleep Deprivation And Depression?

Many people that have depression also experience sleep deprivation. Since insomnia is a common side effect of depression, it is often an indicator of something else going on...

How To Treat Insomnia In 4 Steps

Insomnia is a difficult condition to have because of the challenges when experiencing daytime sleepiness and other side effects. Chronic insomnia can have a real impact on your...

How To Deal With Insomnia: 11 Tips, From The Experts

Do you find yourself lying awake at night struggling to fall asleep? Or, do you fall asleep easily but then wake up continually throughout the night? You may feel like no...

What Does Insomnia Mean? Your Insomnia Questions, Answered

Insomnia is something that you may have heard of, but you aren’t exactly sure what the meaning is. Insomnia is a condition that affects your sleep, which can impinge on other...

The Secret Behind How To Get A Good Night Sleep Naturally

Getting good sleep every night is something that lots of people work toward, and indeed, it’s worth the trouble! Being able to fall asleep easily and quickly, and then to...

Tips For Better Sleep, From The Experts

You have likely heard that getting the proper amount of sleep is vital to your health and that without it, you will have a harder time functioning. You may wonder why that...

How To Get A Good Night’s Sleep When Stressed

According to the American Psychological Association, 33% of Americans are living with extreme stress, and almost half of Americans believe that their stress has increased...

Treatment For Insomnia: How To Get The Sleep You Need

If you have ever suffered from insomnia, you likely know that it can greatly influence your daily life. This is why it is important to know what treatment options are out...

How Are Depression And Insomnia Related?

Both depression and insomnia are common disorders that cause people some disturbance worldwide. When dealing with either of these issues, the person can have difficulty...

Natural Insomnia Treatments To Try

Anyone who has struggled with even one night of insufficient sleep has experienced the uncomfortable symptoms that come along with a shortened sleep cycle. Irritableness...

Why Is Good Sleep So Important?

The American Psychological Association explains that sleep is a critical factor in the health and wellbeing of individuals. On average, adults are advised to get around seven...

Medically Reviewed By: Aaron Horn, LMFT, MA


Sleep is a natural and essential state that the body goes into after a long day. It alters your state of consciousness and your senses are processed in a different way. When you’re asleep, your brain reacts to stimuli differently than it does when you’re awake. Your brain cycles through different patterns while you’re asleep. These 5 sleep cycles last approximately 90 minutes and repeat throughout the time you are sleeping. There are also two basic modes of sleep called REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and non-REM sleep. When in REM sleep, there are times when a person can go into sleep paralysis, meaning that they can’t move. Sleep paralysis can be frightening, but it doesn’t happen to everybody. It’s a feeling of being conscious but completely unable to move your body. It’s terrifying for those people who experience it. Some people talk in their sleep or sleepwalk. What people do in their sleep they may not remember, because they’re in a deeper state of consciousness.

Sleep is Restorative

Sleep is a time when your physical body gets a chance to heal. Your body shuts down many processes and takes inventory of what it needs to heal. Your bodies organs and systems are in an anabolic state. During this anabolic state many of your systems go through a daily overhaul. Your immune system gets restored, your muscular systems heal and strengthen, and your brain processes information that it stored away during your waking hours. Most people find that their mood is better when they’re getting adequate sleep.


Circadian Rhythms

Circadian rhythms are what tell the body when to be asleep and when to be awake. Everyone's circadian rhythms differ, and if you have a sleep disorder, your circadian rhythm will be off. Most adults have a dip in energy in the middle of the night between 2 am and 4 am. That's when part of your hypothalamus controls your circadian rhythm. Your circadian rhythm is not stagnant, and it tends to change as you get older. But, what is circadian rhythm? Circadian rhythm is the 24-hour cycle that tells you when to go to bed, when to rise, when to eat, and so on. It’s a physiological process in the body that animals, fungi, and even cyanobacteria go through.

Healthy Habits

Sleeping helps our bodies and minds. Don’t underestimate the importance of rest. You might feel like you can live on three or four hours of sleep. While you can function on that amount, you’re not thriving. It’s important to give your body a chance to rest so you can function well during the day. When you have enough rest, you’re able to think clearly and make good decisions. Healthy sleep habits are important because sleep has a regenerative property. As an adult, it’s essential to get at least 8 hours of sleep per day because your body needs that time to regenerate and heal. If you don’t get enough sleep, you may become irritable. Lack of sleep can cause or contribute to depression and other mental health issues.


Tips You Can Use To Get Better Sleep

  • Two hours before bedtime, stop using electronics, including your phone, television, and computer.
  • Use your bed for only sleeping and sex.
  • Exercise and maintain healthy eating habits.
  • Make sure that your bedroom is a quiet place.
  • Keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature.
  • If you haven’t fallen asleep after 30 minutes of trying, get out of bed and participate in a low level activity. Some people find that reading helps them fall asleep.

Sleep Problems

If you’re having problems sleeping, it’s essential to troubleshoot and understand what’s going on. An excellent place to start is your general doctor. Explain your symptoms to your doctor. Are you restless at night? Do you have nightmares? Are you having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? Sleep is an essential part of our lives. If you aren’t sure what’s going on or why you’re having trouble sleeping, it might be helpful to talk to a mental health professional. Online therapy is a great place to start exploring sleep issues.


Online Counseling

Don’t ignore your sleep issues. You can talk about them with a mental health professional who can help you solve them. Online counseling is an excellent resource to talk about what’s preventing you from getting good sleep. Search the network at BetterHelp to find a therapist that will help you with these issues.

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