The right amount of sleep is vital to good health and well being.

But in an “always-on” culture, getting to sleep can be hard.

One technique designed to help is called “structured worry time.”

During the day, we suppress the things that are bothering us, usually because we are so busy. The only time we have to confront these issues is when we are lying in bed at night. These thoughts can stop us getting to sleep.

By committing to a structured time to let our worries out – perhaps in the early part of the evening –  we can clear the decks so we can get off to sleep at bedtime.

An alternative idea is to relate to our nighttime thoughts in a different way. As you go to bed,  “watch” your thoughts come by without trying to control them or get rid of them.

This is a way for you to calm down without having to feel that you must clear your mind before you fall asleep.

Obviously, your smartphone is not usually an aid for restful sleep.

It has been found that the light from your smartphone (or any light) can have an impact on your circadian rhythm, which guides your sleep-wake patterns. So put the smartophone away at bed time.

And if you can’t sleep, don’t grab your smartphone for something to do. The light will likely promote wakefulness.

 

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