With such rapid change impacting the majority common symptoms of stress have the ability to impact health wellness sleep schedules stress and productivity By adjusting or adopting some of these habits below you can begin to combat feelings of overwhelm as you will make room for rest recovery and relaxation
Stick to a Schedule
Its in your best interest to maintain regular hours when it comes to work meal times and especially a sleep schedule During these times of elevated stress its especially important to focus on structure that will help you feel your best Oftentimes individuals underestimate how much quality sleep we actually need in order to function at our optimal level
If you are lacking mental clarity or feeling unfocused consider adjusting your bedtime and time you get out of bed Simply shifting your schedule to rise with the sun and watch one less episode on Netflix at night to get to sleep a little earlier can have positive effects on the way you feel during the day You can also try rearranging your room or implementing some bedtime rituals for improved sleep
Exercise Regularly
Whether you like to get in a Pilates sweat session each day or you prefer playing outside with your kids to serve as your form of exercise its necessary to continue this during the coming months for a healthy energy release
There will be days where it feels easier to stay in bed or skip your workout because you are too tired or simply dont want to Avoiding your exercise routine might seem nice in the moment but its likely to have more negative repercussions if you begin to do this regularly Instead find something you love and make it a priority to remain consistent This will help increase your energy levels improve your mood and most importantlyallow you restful sleep in the evenings
Find a Rejuvenating Escape
If youre working from home it might feel tempting to work on your laptop in your bed or drift off for an afternoon nap If you find yourself confusing your evening sleep hours with your daytime productivity and work hours try avoiding the bedroom except for sleep and short periods to nap This will give your brain straightforward signals and help you stay on task when needed
Consider discovering a new area in your home or comfy spot outdoors you can escape to other than your bedroom This will allow you this same type of alone time and calm while remaining focused on what needs to get done during the day
Be Proactive and Plan Ahead
During these times of uncertainty you might be thinking about the health and wellness of your family in addition to what your future might look like One way to provide yourself with peace of mind and protection during this time is to prepare a life insurance policy that supports your familys specific needs
Life insurance is not something that should be considered last minute or when there are no other options Rather you might want to use this time to gather information quotes and talk to an insurance professional who can guide you in your plans
Securing a financial plan to protect your family can provide you with positive impacts on your mental well being and restas you can sleep soundly knowing your loved ones will be safe under any circumstance
Essential Oils and Stress Relief
If youve yet to try some stress relief techniques now is the time to Utilizing essential oils at bedtime is a great way to tune your mind down relax your environment and enjoy a scent that calms your body
Essential oils can be purchased in a variety of packaging options and there are many ways you can use them including directly on your body spritzing on a pillow or diffusing them throughout your room Whichever way you choose these oils are likely to distract your mind reduce your stress levels and prepare you for blissful sleep
Another way to relax your body at the end of a long day is with a hot bath or some light stretching After both of these activities your body will begin to cool down signaling to your brain its time to rest
Dont Stress About Sleep
The last thing your body needs is additional stress if youve just experienced a few nights of poor sleep Rather than jumping to conclusions and making sleep even harder to regulate re evaluate some of your routines and apply some of these small changes to your evening ritual as they can have huge impacts on the quality of your day and night The goal is to improve your overall well being with positive lifestyle changesit all begins with habits
By following these best sleep hygiene practices on a nightly basis youre almost guaranteed to get more fulfilling sleep at night and be more awake and alert during the day If however youre practicing these hygiene tips and still finding yourself feeling tired and sluggish during the day it could be a sign of a sleep disorder
If you believe that your sleep troubles are being caused by a sleep disorder contact Alaska Sleep Clinic We specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide variety of sleep disorders and have helped thousands of Alaskans improve the quality of their sleep
Quality sleep is directly linked to your overall health and if youre not getting enough of it give us a call and let us help you discover the cause of your sleep problems
