The #1 Thing You Should Never Do Before Bed, According to Health Experts

1 month ago 17

Sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our bodies to heal, recover, and strengthen. But many people don’t realize how much their nighttime habits can affect the quality of their rest. That’s where sleep hygiene comes in.

To better understand how to set yourself up for a good night’s sleep, Life & Style spoke with Yuki Shida, LMFT — an Asian American trauma therapist, EMDR specialist, and advocate for culturally responsive mental health care about what helps (and hurts) healthy sleep routines.

Shida explained that strong sleep hygiene starts with consistency and calming the nervous system.

“Good sleep hygiene comes from consistent nervous system regulation and it’s often easier said than done. The best sleep habits seem too simple but are highly effective and sustainable, such as having the same sleep and wake times every day, getting morning light exposure, limiting caffeine intake later in the day, and having a consistent wind-down routine that signals your nervous system to prepare for sleep.”