Practical Strategies for Better Sleep and Emotional Balance

So by now you’re probably starting to get some good ideas on the best sleep hacks for stress relief. It’s now also probably apparent that it doesn’t necessarily matter how to fall asleep faster, as much as it matters how to create a sleep friendly environment.

Therapist-Approved Sleep Hacks for Reducing Stress

Most sleep hacks involve improving your mind-body connection to give your nervous system some gentle soothing. Strategies for mind-body connection include things like progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and guided sleep meditations. These strategies all encourage activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a fancy way of saying they activate “rest” mode for your body, rather than the “work” mode you’ve likely been in all day.

Additionally, you can also create a sleep sanctuary for yourself. By sleep sanctuary, I mean understanding how temperature, bedding, and sound all affect your ability to rest. Some things to try might be cooler temperatures and bedding, or utilizing white noise for some gentle stimulation.

When to Seek Professional Help for Sleep Issues

Signs of chronic insomnia, sleep apnea, or anxiety-related sleep disruptions include:

• Feeling tired upon waking, or never feeling fully rested
• Having a dry mouth upon waking
• Frequent headaches
• Feeling foggy or having attentional difficulty throughout the day
• Having racing thoughts prior to sleep
• Waking earlier than intended or throughout the night
• Experiencing sleep terrors or nightmares

These signs can also be symptoms of other physical issues and disorders, so it’s always a good idea to chat with your doctor if you’re concerned. In the meantime, therapy and mindfulness-based practices can offer you some non-medical strategies to try before heading to the doctor. If all else fails, engaging with a sleep specialist can help you get tested and diagnose what types of issues you may be experiencing.

Putting this Blog to Rest

National Sleep Awareness Week 2025 offers a wonderful opportunity to reset any unhealthy sleep habits and start engaging in best sleep practices. But don’t put too much pressure on yourself to do things perfectly. Experiment with one small change this week, such as trying a body scan before bed or limiting screen time.

Hopefully this blog has given you some ideas on small changes for better sleep. Sleep and mental health awareness are deeply intertwined. At Lotus, we’re dedicated to helping you prioritize the ability to rest your body and mind. Happy sleeping!