Anxiety and Sleep: Why Good Sleep Takes More Than Good Habits

This Mental Health Awareness Week, I am thinking about sleep. 

Sleep is one of the key influencers of our mental and physical health. Life always seems easier after a good night’s sleep. Most of us struggle to sleep at some point or another. 

Sleep has been a bit elusive for me lately. Not just a few restless nights — but a regular difficulty in winding down and staying asleep.

And I know the sleep hygiene rules.

 No screens an hour before bed

 Exercise regularly

 Eat well

 A dark, cool, quiet room

I can list the sleep hygiene checklist by heart — and I do my best to follow it. But if we’re honest, it only scratches the surface.

Because sleep — real, restorative sleep — doesn’t come from an eye mask or a good bedtime routine. It comes from something deeper.

It comes from feeling safe.

Babies and (hopefully) children sleep so well because they trust the world around them. They feel protected and secure. That sense of safety is what allows the nervous system to truly let go.

As adults, that gets harder. Our world feels more volatile. Work is no longer as stable or predictable. Our bodies change. Health becomes more complex as we age. The bubble bath and the herbal tea might comfort us temporarily — but they can’t silence the 3am worries. (And if you’ve had those, you know how loud they can be in the dark.)

We know that good sleep isn’t about bedtime habits. It’s more about addressing our underlying worries. 

I’m actively working on what lies beneath.

 I’m having coaching (of course!)

 I’m consciously challenging negative thought patterns

 I’m talking to friends and family more

 I’m using apps like Insight Timer for meditation and sleep

 I am getting sunlight, exercise and fresh air as much as I can

 I am giving my worries space to sit with me rather than trying to push them away

It takes effort — consistent, imperfect effort. But sleep is worth it. Because when we sleep well, we show up better: calmer, more focused, more present.

How well have you been sleeping lately?

If you’re struggling with sleep, maybe it’s not just about adjusting the light in your room — maybe it’s about really trying to address the worries in your mind. It’s hard work. But hopefully it will pay off.

The image and its tools and techniques might be useful if you need to improve your sleep at the moment.