Sleep is essential for our health.
As we get older, sometimes our sleep becomes shorter and shallower, and we learn to accept it.
But that is not always good for longevity. “... far more of our age-related physical and mental ailments are related to sleep impairment than we, or many doctors, truly realize or treat seriously,” said Matthew Walker in his book Why We Sleep.
Having sufficient sleep is critical for every age.
I also have/had sleep issues. My issues are/were:
1. My sleep is deprived because I'm a bit of a perfectionist
I want to finish everything I set out to do before I go to sleep. But if I try to finish all of the things I want to finish, I have to go to bed late.
2. I woke up in the middle of night because it was too hot
Singapore is a tropical country, and it can be very hot if we don’t use an air conditioning. But when I used the air-con, I woke up as well because it was too cold. Creating and keeping a nice temperature is difficult.
Do you relate to these sleep struggles? If so, I have a few tips that might help.
To tackle these issues, I have decided to do the following.
For 1.
(1) Accept the fact I cannot always finish what I want to finish
(2) It's okay to have an unfinished to-do list or a slightly messy room.
(3) Believe that I am worthy of high-quality sleep
(4) Option: I can do these rituals. Massage, Moxa treatment, Diffuse aroma, Write down what I am grateful for.
For 2.
(5) Moved to a place where the wind can pass through.
I recently moved to a new place after 6 years of staying at the same place. The new place has windows at the opposite sides of each other so that the winds can pass through. The new place naturally provides a suitable temperature for better sleep.
When I was a child, I slept in a room on the second floor of our house. And the room didn’t have windows at the opposite sides. So, my parents decided to create another window on the wall for the wind to go through. Natural wind is the best for sleep when the environment allows.
Matthew Walker mentioned the following tips for healthy sleep in his book:
“Dark bedroom, cold bedroom, gadget-free bedroom… You sleep better if the temperature in the room is kept on the cool side.”
“A bedroom temperature of around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius) is ideal for the sleep of most people, assuming standard bedding and clothing,” Walker said.
When staying in a place where you cannot open the windows, use the air conditioning wisely. If the air from the AC is blowing directly at you, your body may become cold quickly. Therefore, be mindful of the direction of the air.
Other important things for a better sleep
* Be exposed to the sun in the morning
* Regular exercise
* Don’t take caffeine after 2 pm
Remember, quality sleep is crucial for our health and well-being. So, let's prioritize it and give ourselves the rest we deserve. Sweet dreams!
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