April is Stress Awareness Month
Stress is one of the biggest public health challenges we face as Americans. With our hectic modern lifestyle, it can often be hard to stop, rest and destress. And one of the biggest indicators of stress impacting our lives is how it affects sleep, which is such a foundational part of our mental and physical health.
Did you know that 37% of Americans don’t get enough sleep?[1]
Regular rest rejuvenates the body and mind, and the quality of sleep you get can affect your day. Adults who sleep at least eight hours per night report lower stress levels[1] and fatigue, along with increased judgment, memory, mood and overall health.[2]
The positive effects of a good night’s sleep
| Mental Effects | Physical Effects |
|---|---|
| Decreased stress | Improved immune function |
| Improved mood | Reduced inflammation |
| Increased focus and problem-solving skills | Lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer |
| More creativity and mental clarity | Curbs hunger and improves ability to manage weight |
| Better memory and recall | Increases energy and improves physical performance |
10 tips to get to sleep
Take a few minutes to reflect on your sleep hygiene. Here are some helpful hints to build healthier sleep habits:
Curated Calm resources
Use Calm’s dedicated sleep resources to help you get a better night’s sleep:
- Easy Tips for Better Sleep: Dr. Matthew Walker, a renowned neuroscientist and sleep expert, will help you identify your sleep type and share actionable tips to improve your sleep.
- Soften into Sleep: Mindfulness instructor Chibs Okereke will guide you through a progressive muscle relaxation exercise, gently flexing different body parts to release tension and fall asleep quickly.
- The Nordland Night Train: In this sleep story set in Norway, you’ll drift off to a scenic dreamland of natural scenery along the Nordland Railway.
- Delta Waves for Deep Sleep: If you prefer winding down to music, try this dreamy, ambient soundscape.
Additional support tools from our Benefit Partners
Is stress and anxiety hindering your ability to get quality sleep? Remember the mental health and well-being support available through Spring Health. Teammates and household family members each have access to 8 free therapy sessions.
Let the Personify Health Sleep Guide help you prioritize your sleep. Set goals, track progress and earn points for these healthy behaviors. Log-in to Personify Health , and under Health, choose Sleep Guide.
Read up on these tips to manage stress from our partners at Teladoc Health Chronic Condition Management.
Join our discussion about sleep, mental health, and wellness!
Attend our Spring Health webinar to explore the relationship between sleep hygiene and mental health and wellbeing. In this session you will be provided with tools and tips for improving your sleep and mental health. You will also be able to create your own sleep plan for optimal rest. Earn 500 Personify Health (formally Virgin Pulse) points for participating. Click here to register.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/data-research/facts-stats/adults-sleep-facts-and-stats.html
[2] American Psychological Association (APA): https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/sleep
[3] National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6122651/
