Jacinda Mitchell • September 19, 2017
Get more sleep this school year!
Going back to school, as discussed in previous posts, is difficult on so many levels. Getting organized, eating healthy, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep when you go back to school is tough. Sleep struggles are common throughout life but being a teenager trying to balance school, friends, family, and self care can feel impossible. The Sleep Foundation states that teens need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep and it is normal to struggle sleeping before 11 pm due to the biological changes our body go through during adolescence. So how do make sure you are getting the sleep you need when you have a paper to write and your best friend is having a melt down?
Here are some tips:
- Make sleep a priority- sleep is just as important as eating healthy and exercise
- Naps can help if they are kept to less than an hour and not too close to your bedtime
- Stay away from caffeine a couple of hours before bed
- Set a bedtime and wake time and stick to it, even on the weekends!
- Set a sleep routine to help prepare for bed- do calm activities and limit time spent on screens
- Keep a to do list by your bed so you can write down your thoughts and spend less time worrying
- Make your bedroom a SLEEP ZONE!
Check out the video below on how to make your bedroom a sleep zone! And remember, if you or someone you know feels they need extra support, contact me for a free phone consultation!
Finding Community and Belonging: Insights from "How We Show Up" by Mia Birdsong
Throughout the week ,I have been blessed to continue seeing clients through telehealth and supporting them through this difficult time. Most speak of the difficulty of finding a new normal while struggling with the lack of control in this situation. Some struggle with an increased sense of loneliness and isolation due to social distancing and the need to self quarantine. Some continue to work from home but struggle to find their rhythm when most people's routines have been so drastically changed. I personally have been feeling the need to spend more time outside and sometimes even make my normal commute but not go into my office! Whatever it takes to feel peace and ease the stress seems to be the name of the game! Hopefully the tips listed above can help!
