The Importance of Sleep Hygiene

Sleep hygiene simply refers to habits and daily rituals that help you sleep well. If you have a mentall illness, it is likely that you have problem getting to or staying asleep.

While a lot of people do not exercise proper sleep hygiene, when you have a mental illness, it is especially important so that you can sleep well and avoid relapses. Good sleep hygiene will also help combat stress, help nighttime anxiety and improve mood.

So that you sleep well, it is important to obey your body clock. This can be done by :

• Waking up at the same time everyday. This can simple be done by setting an alarm clock.
• When you tired, do not ignore the feeling.
• Don't go to bed unless you are tired.
• Get plenty of sunlight early in the morning.

You should also avoid drugs such as cigarettes, sleeping pills or alcohol. These all have negative effects on sleeping patterns. For example, sleeping pills will make you drowsy during the day and you may become dependent on them.

Another important part of sleep hygiene is to have good sleeping environment. Ways to achieve this maybe to get a comfortable mattress and have your room be a perfect temperature.

Have your room be dark enough to sleep are :

• Take a warm bath before sleep
• Don't take afternoon naps
• Use relaxation exercises such as meditation
• Avoid caffeine
• Don't engage in mentally stimulating activities before bed