Adults are recommended to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night for various health benefits. Clinical sleep psychologist Shelby Harris has identified five different sleep languages to help people improve their sleep quality. These languages include the gifted sleeper, words of worry sleeper, routine perfectionist sleeper, too hot to handle sleeper, and light as a feather sleeper. By identifying which sleep language you fall into, you can better understand how to improve your sleep habits and patterns. Each sleep language comes with specific tips and recommendations to address common sleep issues.
The gifted sleeper is someone who has no trouble falling or staying asleep, but may need to see a sleep doctor if they are sleeping too much. The words of worry sleeper tends to have an active mind at night, filled with anxiety and stress. Tips for this group include setting boundaries and practicing meditation. The routine perfectionist sleeper follows a strict sleep routine, sometimes to the detriment of their happiness. Flexibility and mindfulness practices can help them improve their sleep patterns. The too hot to handle sleeper struggles with temperature regulation during sleep, which can be addressed through medical evaluation and bedroom adjustments. The light as a feather sleeper wakes easily and may benefit from a structured bedtime routine and professional sleep evaluation.
Harris partnered with the meditation app Calm to address the link between mental health and sleep. Sleep deprivation can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, making it difficult for individuals to cope with daily stressors. REM sleep plays a crucial role in emotional processing and memory consolidation, so deficits in this stage of sleep can impact emotional regulation and cognitive function. Prioritizing sleep is essential for overall wellbeing, as it can help stabilize mood, improve cognitive function, and enhance daily productivity.
In response to the mental health crisis exacerbated by the pandemic, Harris emphasizes the importance of addressing sleep patterns to improve mental health outcomes. Sleep deprivation can impair emotional regulation and problem-solving abilities, leading to increased anxiety, depression, and stress. By focusing on getting adequate and quality sleep, individuals can better manage their mental health and cope with daily stressors. Centering sleep as a priority can help create a foundation for overall wellness and improve various aspects of daily life. It is essential to recognize the impact of sleep on mental health and make efforts to prioritize sleep for better overall health and wellbeing.
