The lockdown is here. It’s a reality, and it’s not likely to go away for a few more weeks, if not longer. Along with its restrictions is a large disruption to our regular routines, including our sleeping routine.
What's Inside
We felt it would be useful to our readers to discuss this real-life problem being faced by us today, how the current situation is making slumber harder to achieve, and why a new sleep routine might help you.
Why Is Sleep Harder to Come by Right Now?
As human beings, we rely on having a few things to feel good. If you look at Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, it provides some good indicators for why sleeping is more difficult during the lockdown.
The physiological needs are at the bottom of the Pyramid structure. These include food, water, warmth, and rest. Security is also a basic need and includes both security and safety. Above these on the pyramid are factors that relate to friendships, relationships, and connections made with other people.
Because there is some degree of uncertainty about the current situation, we’re all more anxious than normal. Initially, people stockpiled food to protect themselves. However, online shopping is very busy, and many of us have adapted to the lockdown situation. As humans, we adjust well to new situations given the time to do so, but the stress is still there.
How Can You Change Your Sleeping Routine to Better Adapt?
Stress is a major factor right now. Here’s what you can do to lower your stress levels.
Skip the News
While we wish to stay informed, being clued up on the news is only serving to make us more anxious. In truth, the current situation will remain until the virus runs its course. This will require time and patience on all our parts.
Stop the Worrying
Also, try to stop worrying about whether you’ll catch the virus. Do what you can to wash your hands and take the other necessary protective measures. Then go about your day as normally as you can. Worrying will only serve to make you more anxious and sleep harder to come by.
Your Sleep Routine
Once you’ve worked to calm the situation down, the next step is to review your sleep routine to see how you can improve it.
Do you allow enough time before bedtime to sleep well? Would a bath with some Epsom Salts or a bubble bath be relaxing for you? Or, could you read a book for the last hour before getting some shuteye?
Choose what you feel works best for you to clear your mind and wind down properly away from the distractions of the outside world. Make it part of your new routine and anchor yourself to it.
Will Making Yourself More Comfortable Be Beneficial?
Undoubtedly, if you’re physically uncomfortable, the best sleep routine in the world won’t help you.
This applies whether you’re glued to the news and still expecting to sleep like a log or whether you’re battling a bed that’s too small (or short) for your frame.
Certainly, it would be great if you want a large mattress to purchase one to solve that problem. No more feet dangling over the end or rolling off the side. That way, a new sleep routine is rewarded with a big bed to provide proper rest from a troubled world.
Don’t Wait Too Long
Don’t wait to develop a better sleep routine and remove anything that gets in the way of it.
Currently, daily life is harder than it was before. It’s all too easy to let small things become irritants that grow and grow when in lockdown. There are fewer release valves to let off some steam when we get ticked off. So, it’s best to avoid getting annoyed in the first place.
Doing what’s right for you helps the people nearest and dearest to you. You’ll sleep better and be more relaxed, and their behavior will often reflect your own.
By creating a better sleep routine and addressing other factors that potentially are interfering with good sleep patterns, you’re being proactive, not reactive. At a time when far too many people are being solely reactive, it serves to move you into a positive orientation. And good things can come from that.