Studies indicate that engaging in artistic activities can help those with sleep disorders get a good nights rest If youre one of the millions of people who cant seem to get some shut eye heres what you need to know about art therapy and how it can help you sleep better
It can relieve stress
Stress and sleeplessness go hand and hand and being under constant stress can result in decreased sleep duration and reduced REM sleep Taking time to de stress can help to ease tension and make you feel less anxious which in turn can help you to fall asleep faster Doing mindful activities like yoga and meditation can help to relieve stress but so can creative activities such as drawing Get a sketchpad and a pencil and try drawing a bird in flight a duck on the water or other simple shapes
You can also try drawing what you feel as a way to unload whatever it is that is stressing you out at the moment Doing so allows you to express the emotions that are difficult to put into words Letting your emotions out on paper can be liberating and once youve poured out all the fears doubts and other negative emotions youll find that you feel much better youll start enjoying yourself and youll feel less worried so you can sleep better
It can be a part of your bedtime routine
Having a bedtime routine is essential to a good nights sleep since consistent repetitive activities done before bedtime can help you unwind and prepare your mind and body to get the sleep that you need Doing simple art activities such as coloring can be calming Moreover its a great way to practice mindfulness which will enable you to fall asleep faster and get a deep and restful sleep every night Try doing 15 to 20 minutes of coloring every night You can download a print from the Internet to color or work on beautifully illustrated coloring books for adults such as those made by Johanna Basford Hanna Karlzon or the Romantic Country coloring books by Eriy Colored pencils are the best coloring tools to use for adult coloring books but you may also use crayons markers or gel pens
Art therapy can help you relax and unwind so you can catch some zzzs Dont think of it as a task view art activities as a way to relax so you can enjoy what youre doing and get the benefits of whatever creative activity you decide to do Try drawing or coloring for a few minutes before bedtime and see how engaging in artistic activities can help improve your sleep
What to do if you suspect you have a sleep disorder
With over 80 listed sleep disorders and more that are being researched its important for patients suffering from the various types of sleep disorders to seek medical treatment If you believe that your sleep problems may be caused by a disorder there are many things you can do to solve your sleep issues from DIY tips and tricks such as practicing better sleep hygiene to contacting a sleep clinic to schedule an inlab sleep study or an at home sleep test for certain pre screened disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea
If you live in Alaska and think you may be suffering from one of the many sleep disorders listed above you can take advantage of a free 10 minute phone consultation with the Alaska Sleep Clinic where one of our trained sleep specialists can help determine whether or not you need to have a sleep study to diagnose your condition To get this free offer click on the link below or call us today 907 420 0540
