Sleep is Essential
As a mom, one of my most satisfying moments of the day is when I get to see my child sound asleep either for a nap in the middle of the day, or for the night. And I don’t mean it in the sense of “wow, I finally get a break” or because he “was a lot today”. Although, a break is always useful and does feel nice! But rather because it brings me great joy and satisfaction to know that my child is in receipt of optimal sleep, that will award him restorative rest upon waking. I delight myself in creating a peaceful, safe, and soothing sleep environment which he can look forward to as he lays down to rest, although he may fight me about not being tired every time!
Healthy sleep hygiene begins as early as infancy and remains equally relevant and important throughout the lifespan. Simply put, sleep is not an option, it’s a necessity we all highly benefit from. Sleep hygiene is a term used to describe healthy and good sleep habits. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults 26-64yrs of age sleep anywhere from 7 to 9hrs a night. But let’s be honest, how many average Americans can actually attest to meeting this goal?
Sleep is the body’s way of restoring, repairing, and reintegrating.
Sleep is the body’s way of restoring, repairing, and reintegrating. Not giving our body enough sleep will eventually lead to negative impact on the rest of our physiology. When we sleep our ability to concentrate and pay attention is restored, our muscles repair + recover, our metabolism is regulated, and our memories are consolidated and stored. Physiologically speaking a lack of sleep suppresses our immune system and increases one’s risk of illness. But moreover, sleep helps us maintain better mental health. When we don’t sleep our emotions are experienced as much more intense which may cause one to have heightened irritability, anger, and/or anxiety. This can leave you feeling dispassionate and hopeless in general.
I remember a time in my postpartum journey where sleep was literally a foreign concept to me. Even when I had the opportunity to lay down and rest for the night, my mind spiraled and wandered with endless thoughts about the unending to do list that awaited me the following day. Worry and fear embraced me, tightly, at night and my feelings of angst would only grow louder and louder inside.
"It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep” Psalm 127:2 
I recall reading this scripture over and over again, sobbing in the middle of night wondering “why” couldn’t I just fall asleep. Chronic stress had become the baseline from which I operated from, and stress and sleep don’t go well together. My perspective of sleep and feelings of desperation began to change as I understood that God gives us sleep as a gift, a literal tool, and that true rest is given only by His hands. So I began to search for ways to incorporate rest, stillness, and relaxation into my everyday life hoping to return my body and mind to a state of calm and homeostasis.
"I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me." Psalm 3:5Establishing healthy sleep habits is possible! You can partner up with God, the One who never sleeps or slumbers, and seek true rest. Feel free to also enlist your family members to join in supporting you create a sleep routine that best meets you and your family’s needs. Lastly, don’t discredit the invaluable benefit of a mental health therapist on your team to also help you identify and process factors affecting you sleep. Wishing you quality and more wholesome sleep that feels life giving and replenishing once again!
