Over the years, research has shown that even an extra 30 minutes of sleep over what you get now can significantly increase your level of happiness more than a 100% pay rise, according to insights from Thrive Global. Sleep has long been considered to have a huge influence on our overall well-being but is, unfortunately, one of the most underrated health and happiness habits. The reality is, if you’re not getting enough quality sleep, you’re going to struggle to feel happy, be healthy and even perform better. Learning how you can improve your sleep is a critical step towards establishing the daily habit to rise earlier in the morning for daily Amrit Vela sadhana. Here are some ways a good night’s sleep can make your life much happier.

Understanding sleep deprivation

It’s no surprise that you feel exhausted and grumpy when you don’t get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation is one of the biggest problems that we face today, with 37% of 20-39 year olds reporting short sleep duration. This comes with various negative consequences like insomnia, negative moods, reduced focus, low self-esteem and negative influences on how we connect with people. These can easily be avoided if we put enough sleep hours to become fully rested. While insomnia can often be dealt with using some proven natural sleeping aids like Lavender, Vetiver and Roman Chamomile essential oils, the best way to avoid such problems is to commit changing your sleeping habits.

How sleep makes you happier  

The Mayo Clinic notes that lack of sleep adversely affects your immune system and, therefore, those who don’t get enough quality sleep each day are more likely to get sick and even take longer to recover. Sleeping enough hours is good for your health, and good health means a more fulfilling and happier life. Sleep experts also report that sleep deprivation and depression go hand in hand. If you want to be happier and get rid of common day-to-day stresses, you need to sleep better so your mind and body can relax.

Even though our work and mood suffer most when we’re tired, many of us end up cutting our sleep short because we’re “busy.” But the truth is, sleeping better, and particularly sleeping at the right time can have positive effects on our daily mood. There is a direct correlation between sleep quality and overall happiness. According to a recent Gallup poll, people who get enough sleep are more likely to rate their lives as happier. Better sleep will help you handle and balance your work, family obligations, and health matters better, improving your overall well-being.

Having problems sleeping? Try these tips

To sleep better, you need to learn a few basic tips. Avoid excessive fluids, alcohol, caffeine and large meals before you go to sleep. Get regular exercise and make sure to schedule your workouts, so they’re at least several hours before you get to sleep. Also, consider setting a regular sleep schedule and strictly stick to it, even on weekends, when you might be tempted to sleep a bit more. If you tend to wake up early, incorporate some Sikhi tips to wake up refreshed and be ready for the day. You should also use your bed only for sleeping, and not for watching movies or playing on your laptop. This will ensure your body and mind know when you’re in bed, and ready to sleep.  

You don’t need medical expertise to know that depriving yourself of sleep can leave you feeling frazzled that you can’t enjoy your day or life properly. Insufficient sleep exposes you to a litany of health and performance problems. You don’t have to make drastic changes in your sleeping schedule to enjoy a happier life. Just adding an additional 30 to 60 minutes of sleep each day can make an impact on your overall well-being and happiness. Here’s a simple idea to get started: start preparing for sleep and going to bed one hour before your usual bed time and waking up 30 minutes earlier in the morning. Use that extra half hour for ishnaan and sadhana. Establish the habit and the habit will carry you through.

 
Photo by Matheus Vinicius on Unsplash

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