I’m restless. I went to bed, but I’m just lying here with my brain on overdrive

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Join the National Sleep Foundation in celebrating its annual Sleep Awareness Week, March 10 to 16, 2019!

National Sleep Awareness Week

You know the deal. Adults need an average of seven to nine hours of sleep a night to be their best functioning selves. But work, life, and good TV that comes on after 9pm can always get in the way of that. 

It may be tempting to try to edge in a couple extra hours of work or leisure in exchange for fewer hours of sleep, but is the loss of sleep really worth it? 

 According to the CDC, “insufficient sleep has been linked to the development and management of a number of chronic diseases and conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression.” Additionally, the American Sleep Association states that, “35% of adults report less than seven hours of sleep per night.”  To learn more about sleep and sleep deprivation, or request promotional materials for sleep awareness please visit the National Sleep Foundation at SleepFoundation.org/SAW.

I’m restless. I went to bed, but I’m just lying here with my brain on overdrive.

The trick is being able to forget all the stress that keeps you up at night. Here are a few tips...


Get up and do something relaxing. You shouldn’t stay in bed awake for more than 20 minutes, because it tells your brain your bed isn’t the place for sleep. So get up. Read a book. Listen to a song that calms you. Then try to make friends with your pillow again.


Meditate. Mindful meditation is a great technique to get yourself in the headspace for bed. Focus on your breathing and keeping your mind on the present. No drifting thoughts to past problems or future worries. Stay in the now. Keep your breathing steady. Think of something calming. And find your zen. Apps like Headspace can help you do this from the comfort of your bed. 


Know your enemies. Hint: it’s light from screens!! Blue light from a phone, computer or tv can block your body from releasing melatonin – the hormone that regulates a body’s sleep cycle. Give your eyes a break before bed.

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