Alaska Sleep Education Center

Could a Calmer Mind Be the Key to Your Best Sleep Ever?

Getting the right amount of sleep is very important for both your mind and body. A lot of people do not get enough sleep. Stress and the fast pace of life make it hard for many to relax and get to sleep. It can be hard to calm down at night. This is why learning ways to relax can be really helpful. When you use these methods, you help your mind and body feel calm. This can help you sleep better and feel more rested. These methods help slow your heartbeat, make your muscles feel less tight, and quiet the thoughts in your head that keep you awake.

The Science Behind Relaxation and Sleep

Our body’s “fight or flight” response is managed by the sympathetic nervous system. Each day, stress can make this system work too much. When this happens, our alertness goes up. The body lets out stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, and this makes it harder for us to sleep.

Relaxing methods can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the “rest and digest” mode. This slows down the way the body works. The brain then tells the body that it is safe and okay to rest and get ready for sleep.

If you add things that help with relaxing, like what you find when you shop sauna heaters, you make a special place for winding down. Using the sauna before bed can help lower these stress hormones. It can help you feel calm, and this may help you fall asleep and stay asleep.

Effective Relaxation Techniques for Better Sleep

There are many ways that you can use to help your body feel relaxed. You may need to try several of them to see which works best for you.

  • Deep Breathing Exercises: This is one of the easiest ways to relax. When you take slow, deep breaths in through your nose, hold them for a bit, and let them out through your mouth, you help calm your body. Breathing this way can help lower heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR): Here, you tighten and let go of muscle groups, one at a time. Start with your toes and work your way up to your head. You feel the tension in your legs, arms, and other places and let it go. This helps your body feel looser and less tense, which can help when your mind won’t rest.
  • Mindfulness and Meditating: Being mindful helps you stay in the moment and not get stuck judging yourself. You can find guided meditations on many apps. These can help you stop thinking too much and feel calm inside. You learn how to let go and stop worrying about your day so you can have a quiet mind.
  • Listening to Calming Music or Sounds: Soft music or gentle nature noises can help when you are trying to sleep. These sounds can block out others that bother you and help slow your brain down, making it easier to relax.
  • Journaling: If you keep thinking about your to-do list or feel worried before bed, try writing those thoughts down. Putting what is on your mind onto paper lets you feel clear. This makes it easier for your

Creating a Pre-Sleep Routine

Being steady with these techniques is important if you want them to work well. When you build a regular way to get ready for bed, your body gets a strong hint that it is time to slow down. This time before sleep should feel special, without phones, TVs, or things that excite you. You can take a warm bath, read for a bit, or have a short time to relax and clear your mind. What matters most is to create a daily habit that makes you feel good. You will look forward to it. Soon, your body will start to link these things to sleep. You will find it is much easier to fall asleep.

To sum up, putting relaxation first is a must when you want to have good sleep. By learning how relaxing habits work with your nerves and adding them to your daily life, you can help your sleep get better. You may use deep breathing, calming thoughts, or picking the right feel in your room. All of these ways can help you rest well. When you make time for things that help you relax deeply, you feel better and even your health can also be improved. You may want to check out where to shop sauna heaters for your place to feel calm and rested.

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Our weekly updated blog aims to provide you with answers and information to all of your sleeping questions.

Brent Fisher, MBA, FACHE, FACMPE
President and Chief Executive Officer

“Alaska Sleep Clinic has a history of providing the most comprehensive sleep medicine services in the state of Alaska. Its potential has only begun. I am here to take these high-quality, comprehensive services to all Alaskans.”

Experience

Brent Fisher has held leadership positions spanning a wide variety of complex and start-up organizations: manufacturing (pharmaceutical & medical device), software development, hospitals (academic and community), medical groups, consulting, hospice, military, engineered devices, engineered plastics, and private equity.

Publications and Organizations

His writings have been published in various magazines, trade journals, and medical journals, including the Physician Executive Journal, Healthcare Executive, Modern Healthcare, Group Practice Journal, New England Journal of Medicine, and Journal of Healthcare Management (Best Article Award).

He has served on the Board of Directors of professional associations, civic organizations, and businesses.

Hobbies and Activities

Brent enjoys being with his family, serving in the community, hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting.