By Tina Smith, M.Ed., LPC
People say I need to get my beauty rest for a reason. This beauty is not only physical but internal as well. We find beauty in physical attributes, but a beautiful personality is an internal and spiritual attribute. Getting your beauty rest is a holistic experience that can affect positive changes in the mind, body, and spirit. By developing an understanding of how proper rest can promote positive change and implementing tools to improve your sleep you will improve in all areas of your life. Sleep prepares the mind, body, and spirit for daily warfare. We battle with things throughout the day that slowly destroy the body’s defense mechanisms. Irritability, slow reactivity, internal system breakdowns, and relationships are negatively affected by improper sleep hygiene.
Moreover, there are many misconceptions that people subscribe to that are simply untrue. A few examples are “I can catch up on my sleep later,” “I just need a little coffee, and I will be fine,” “I am fine after 4 hours of sleep.” However, these excuses are temporary and momentary fixes. If you made any of these states more than a few times in a month then you have created unhealthy sleeping patterns. Another misconception that many people subscribe to is “I’ve always had trouble sleeping, and there is nothing that I can do about it;” or your mind may simply have recurring thoughts and struggle to turn off as if they were on a hamster wheel. If you can relate to any of these statements, it is time to unsubscribe to poor sleeping habits and begin implementing a sleep routine, further noted here as “sleep hygiene.” Consider subscribing to sleep hygiene as a part of your daily regimen to improve your “beauty rest.”
If you are struggling to get good sleep, I implore you to take a deeper look into what is contributing to poor sleep habits. Our amazing bodies are set up with notifications that nudge us to pay attention. Take a moment to consider that your world is filled with notifications. Your car alerts you to change the oil, a bill pops up on the computer when due, and your favorite blog alerts you when something new has been posted. Moreover, our bodies have many important alerts, some more subtle than others. If we choose to ignore these notifications the effects can be detrimental. It is vital to discover obstacles that are affecting your sleep routine. You may need to modify your environment, set healthy boundaries, or implement reminder tools to assist with improving your sleep hygiene. Medical attention may be necessary due to other health issues that are contributing to poor sleep. A mental health professional can assist in helping you to identify obstacles as well as holding you accountable during this journey.
As a mental health professional, I find it rewarding when my clients discover a renewed sense of peace, productivity, and fulfilling relationships by simply developing effective sleeping patterns. I am reminded of several scriptures that highlight the importance of sleep. In the book of Genesis, it notes that God rested from his work, Matthew states that God grants rest to those who are weary and burdened, and in Psalms, he provides a peaceful environment next to green pastures.
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