With the holiday season offering a rare pause in our busy routines, it’s an ideal opportunity to reset and catch up on meaningful rest. Sleep is one of the most underrated forms of self-care. To help clear the confusion around rest, productivity, and health, we sat down with provider Stephanie Anderson to answer some of the most common questions about sleep and why it matters more than most people realize.
Q: From a medical perspective, what are the real benefits of getting enough sleep?
A: Getting enough sleep is incredibly important for every person. Quality sleep benefits all aspects of your health including physical, cognitive, mental, and emotional well-being. It improves cardiovascular health, strengthens your immune system, supports metabolic regulation, and allows for memory consolidation. On the other hand, a lack of quality sleep can worsen or contribute to several medical and psychiatric conditions and can even lead to significant morbidity. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night to care for their overall health.
Q: What signs do you see in patients who are not getting enough sleep?
A: Patients who are not sleeping well often experience daytime fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, trouble with memory, and decreased productivity. Poor sleep can also show up physically and may lead to headaches or muscle tension. These symptoms may seem common, but they are indicators that the body and brain may not be getting the rest they need.
Q: How can people start prioritizing sleep without feeling unproductive?
A: One of the most helpful shifts is understanding that sleep is productive. Quality sleep allows your brain and body to rest and function at their best, just like eating healthy or exercising. Once you see sleep as essential self-care, it becomes easier to prioritize without guilt. A great starting point is keeping consistent bed and wake times. Creating a calming bedtime routine also helps. Whether it is taking a warm bath, reading, or dimming the lights, giving your brain cues that it is time to slow down will support long-term sleep habits.
Q: Why do so many people feel guilty about resting or sleeping enough?
A: With limited hours in a day and a culture that rewards constant activity, many people view sleep as another task rather than a vital part of caring for their health. It is easy to fall into a mindset that rest equals laziness. The truth is that sleep is a necessary and non-negotiable part of supporting your overall well-being.
Q: How can parents help their kids get enough rest, especially with early school schedules?
A: Encouraging earlier bedtimes is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help children get enough sleep. A consistent bedtime routine such as bathing, brushing teeth, reading, and then going to bed creates structure and helps the brain wind down. Limiting evening screen time, avoiding caffeine, and creating a cool, dark, sleep-friendly environment all support healthy sleep patterns.
Q: What are your top tips for good sleep hygiene?
A: Some of the best habits include keeping consistent bed and wake times, practicing a calming bedtime routine, limiting screens and blue light before bed, avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the evening, and getting bright light exposure in the morning. Good sleep hygiene is one of the most effective ways to set yourself up for long-term success with healthy, restorative sleep.
