Sleep

 

I have a friend who told me once, when I asked him how he slept the night before, that he “slept

like a baby.”

I said, “Really? That’s great.”

He said, “Yeah. I woke up every three hours screaming because I had just messed myself.”

Being neurodivergent means I don’t detect humor or sarcasm a lot of the time, but I laughed at

the thought of him in that situation.

I have suffered from sleeplessness since my mid-twenties when I first became aware that I had

bipolar disorder, but sleeplessness is something we all experience to some degree at various

times in our lives. I tend to get stuck with racing thoughts. Racing thoughts = no sleep.

I think nothing of one or two nights without sleep, but by night four, it gets a little weird. Some

medical schools put their students through three days of sleep deprivation to simulate

psychosis. I think that’s pretty clever.

Why is sleep important? Sleep is not a luxury—it is one of the foundations of physical and

mental wellness. During sleep, our bodies repair themselves, our brains organize memories, our

immune systems are strengthened, and our emotions are reset. When we consistently get too

little sleep, our mood, concentration, judgment, and energy all suffer. Over time, poor sleep

increases the risk of depression, anxiety, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and many other

health problems. Simply put, good sleep helps us become the best version of ourselves.

The Psalmist speaks regarding sleep. Like in Psalms 4:8 where it says, “I will both lie down

and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.”

Jesus had the peace that allows for good sleep when he was out on the sea with the disciples.

He was sleeping soundly before the frightened men woke him up to calm the storm.

I would like to share with you a few tips for better sleep. Try to go to bed and wake up at the

same time every day, even on weekends. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and heavy meals several

hours before bedtime. Turn off televisions, phones, and other screens at least 30 to 60 minutes

before going to bed.

With the last bit of time before turning the lights out, when the day quiets down, I read a chapter

from a book by a Christian author. Finally I settle into my pillow and meditate or pray. By that I

mean, I try to listen to what God has been trying to tell me that day, but I was distracted by the

waking hours.

Sleep is probably the most important aspect of personal wellness, and trying to change it

permanently for the better can seem like a pretty daunting task. Remember, a lifestyle can’t be

changed much in one night—or even one week. You are working on something that has been a

lifetime in the making, but I have seen it work in my own life and in the lives of those I have

helped.

In Esther it is recorded that when the king couldn’t sleep, he had his servants retrieve the public

records and had them read to him. Reading as a sleep aid was a thing even during ancient

Judea. Most of all though, the less you worry over losing sleep the more likely you are to get

good sleep and get it consistently.

If you struggle with quality sleep, I encourage you to consider making adjustments based on the

tips you’ve heard today. Good sleep may seem like a magic trick, but the ways I have discussed

are practical and easy to implement. A good sleep ritual doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be

one of life’s greatest blessings.