Sleep Habits and Stress
There is no proven medical link between insomnia and hair loss. However, it is likely that your insomnia may be related to hair loss or shedding. Sleep issues are highly correlated to stress, life changes, and a variety of medical conditions. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, two important parts of developing a sleep habit include personal choices and sleeping environment. Read below for a few quick tips on how to shift your behavior in each domain to ensure you’re getting the sound sleep you need.
Personal Habits
Not quite sure what your sleeping habits are at the moment? Well, grab a blank notebook and start observing yourself like you might in a science experiment. Write down the exact time you get into bed and wake-up every morning. Also, jot down every time you get into bed to do something other than to sleep. If you’re struggling to fall asleep each night or you wake up in the middle of the night, try making a few small changes. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that we avoid certain activities and drinks before bed as well as add exercise into our daily routine. Begin by setting a bedtime and an alarm to wake, give or take one hour, every day of the week. Avoid napping during the day as well as drinking caffeinated beverages. Consider going to the gym and exercising in the morning or afternoon. Exercise gets you moving and will tire you out.
Sleeping Environment
Take out a pen and paper and leave them in front of you. Now, close your eyes and visualize the most relaxing, sleep-inducing environment you can imagine. How does the room look- what are the wall colors? Is the room tidy or untidy? How big is the bed? What type of sheets and pillows are on the bed? How is the room lit? How does the room smell? Do you hear any sounds in the room- if so, what are they? Open your eyes. Write down the answers to the questions above. Now, go into your bedroom and see how it compares to your list. Make the changes to your bedroom to make it a more inviting, relaxing place to sleep. If all you have is a bright overhead light, buy a bedside lamp with a warm glow. If you hate your bed sheets, go out and buy ones that are more comfortable. If you can’t remember when you bought your pillows, go out and get some new ones. If you heard classical music or a raindrops in your ideal environment, go to the store and purchase a fountain or a nature sounds CD.
Aside from eating, breathing, and drinking water, sleeping is one of the most important parts of our day. Once you have experienced several consistent nights of sound sleep, you’ll be amazed at the change in your daytime routine. If your sleep schedule is all over the place, change won’t happen overnight. It may take several weeks for your body to adjust to the lifestyle changes you’re making. If you think you may have a medical condition or are suffering from insomnia, you should consult with your physician for any medical treatments.
