How to Get Better Sleep When You’re Living with a Mental Health Condition

Getting good sleep often seems like an unattainable dream for people who suffer from insomnia or mental health issues. Anxiety, depression, and ADHD are just a few conditions that can keep a person from getting good rest, and because inadequate sleep can cause physical and mental problems in its own right, it becomes a vicious cycle that leaves you feeling exhausted. The stress that lack of rest can bring can also exacerbate feelings of anxiety or depression, so it’s essential to look for ways that you can help your body and mind relax and prepare for downtime.

The good news is that there are several things you can do to get better sleep. From changing things up in your bedroom to make it more relaxing to creating a routine during the day that will help you unwind and get comfortable when you’re ready to rest, there are many ways you can boost your ability to sleep well. Here are some tips from Healthy Lombard to get you on the right track.

Find the Right Mattress

One of the easiest ways to boost your sleep quality is to look for a new mattress. Many mattresses will sag over time or become lumpy, leaving you feeling uncomfortable during the night so that even if you do sleep, you still feel tired the next day. Consider a memory foam mattress, which comes in a variety of types, including soft or firm and single-sided or flippable. Not only that, but they also have a nice price range, so you’re sure to find one that fits your budget. Shop around to find the best one for your needs and compare prices.
Correct Your Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that can leave you feeling groggy and fatigued every day. It’s a condition you might not notice, but sleep apnea is disruptive enough to inhibit quality sleep. If you have trouble breathing when you sleep or if your partner says your snoring is especially loud, consider having a sleep study to determine whether you have sleep apnea and what you can do to treat it. The most common treatment for sleep apnea is to use a CPAP machine to boost your oxygen intake during sleep. This helps open an obstructed airway by using pressurized air to deliver enough oxygen.

Change Your Sleep Environment

The area you sleep in is very important when it comes to how well you rest. Everything from the temperature to the paint color on the walls can have an effect on your ability to sleep well, so take a look at your bedroom to see where a few changes might be made. Calming colors like blue and green are great for bedrooms. If you have a television in your room, turn it off at least an hour before bedtime in order to avoid sleep interruptions, and read a book instead. Making these changes can help you relax, destress, and prepare your body and mind for sleep after a long day.

Practice a Hobby

There are many benefits to having a hobby, including stress relief and a sense of accomplishment or belonging, and when you are living with anxiety or another mental health condition, being good at something can truly change your mindset for the better. Not only that, many hobbies can help you get active, which will help to tire you out and get a better night of sleep; on the flip side, some hobbies are more soothing than others and can be done before bedtime to help you prepare for rest. Whether you enjoy making art, playing a sport, gardening, or something in between, practicing a hobby is a great way to focus, relax, and feel better.

Find Some Calm in Your Day

While there is no single cure for a particular mental health condition, many people have found relief in setting aside quiet time every day in order to meditate or simply unplug from technology. This is especially crucial if an abundance of stress has impacted your performance at work. If you feel like you could use some assistance, the next step will be to determine the best online therapy for you. Remember, it takes courage to ask for help!

You can even incorporate an exercise like yoga into this time to work on relaxing breathing techniques, or you can simply turn off your phone, close your eyes, and find some inner peace. This can be done at intervals throughout the day if you’re feeling very stressed, or you can set aside time before bed to unwind and get ready for sleep. Meditation has proven to be a very effective strategy for individuals who struggle with stress, anxiety, PTSD, and insomnia.

You can also relieve stress by introducing some mood-boosting indoor plants into your home. Many of these plants require very little maintenance, and they help purify the air. In fact, just photos or paintings of plants can help alleviate stress.

Finding better sleep when you’re living with a mental health condition is not always easy. It may take some time before you’re able to find a method or activity that works for you, so try to be patient. With a little creativity and a few changes to your lifestyle, you can put yourself on the road to feeling better through better rest.

At Healthy Lombard, our mission is to address the epidemic of Childhood Obesity and promote a healthier lifestyle for all community members through the “Triple-A Approach” of Awareness, Activities, and Achievement. Call (630)712-0520.

Main photo provided via Pexels