The Top 3 Healthy Sleep Habits for a Better Night in Bed

A woman sleeping next to her phone in bed, trying to use healthy sleep habits

What are the best habits for good sleep? How does your phone disrupt your sleep patterns? Shawn Stevenson claims that to reap the benefits of quality sleep, you need to align your sleeping habits with your circadian rhythm. Your circadian rhythm acts like a 24-hour timer, telling you when to sleep and when to wake up, coordinating with the cycles of day and night.  Here are the three healthy sleep habits Stevenson advises incorporating into your routine.

The Importance of Rest: A Time for Recovery & Growth

A man in the woods wearing a jacket, hat, and backpack, sitting on a log, and journaling illustrates the importance of rest

Are you feeling exhausted and uninspired at work? Is there a secret to boosting your creativity and productivity? The importance of rest cannot be overstated. In his book Willpower Doesn’t Work, Benjamin Hardy explores how effective rest is crucial not only for recovery but also for skill improvement and creativity. Rest allows your mind to wander, fostering new connections and ideas. Keep reading to discover why rest is just as vital as work and how to strike the right balance for optimal performance and well-being.

Health Benefits of Sleep: Boosting Your Mental & Physical Health

A woman experiencing one of the health benefits of sleep while stretching in bed

What are the mental and physical health benefits of sleep? How does sleep affect your mental well-being? Shawn Stevenson says that sleep is a vital process that allows your mind and body to rest and rejuvenate. Sleep affects almost every aspect of your overall health, including your daily energy levels, long-term cardiovascular health, and mental health. Let’s look at some of the ways sleep impacts your body and brain. 

The 3 Sunlight Hormones That Affect How You Sleep

A woman feeling sunlight hormones with her eyes closed outside

What are the different types of sunlight hormones? How does sunlight improve the way you sleep? Your circadian rhythms are controlled by a collection of nerves in your hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for regulating all hormones. One of the main triggers of these nerves is sunlight, which ultimately helps you sleep better Keep reading to learn how to improve your sleep cycle by soaking in the sun.

Sleep and Healthy Lifestyles: What’s the Connection?

A woman running on a treadmill thinking about a bed, showing how sleep and healthy lifestyle are connected

How is your lifestyle and sleep connected? What are the benefits of exercise for sleep? Shawn Stevenson says that common lifestyle factors can change the quality of your sleep. Foods and beverages can help and hinder your ability to sleep, and there’s also a beneficial relationship between exercise and sleep.  Continue reading to learn more about the relationship between sleep and a healthy lifestyle.

Work-Rest Balance: Be Deliberate About Your Environments

A woman in the middle of a split screen with an office on the left and a garden on the right depicts work-rest balance

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the demands of your job? Do you struggle to find time for relaxation and personal pursuits? Work-rest balance is crucial for both productivity and well-being. By creating an environment that promotes relaxation and engaging in activities that recharge you, you can improve your overall quality of life, including work. Read on to discover practical tips from Benjamin Hardy in Willpower Doesn’t Work.

Mahatma Gandhi on Brahmacharya: Purity Leads to Truth

A plate of fruit on a table in a sparse room with a a spinning wheel (charkha) in the background illustrates brahmacharya

What did Gandhi believe about purity and enlightenment? How did his views on brahmacharya shape his lifestyle choices? For Mahatma Gandhi, brahmacharya influenced his approach to marriage, sexuality, and diet. His commitment to self-purification led him to practice celibacy and adopt strict dietary restrictions. These choices were rooted in his belief that a pure mind and body were essential for finding Truth. Keep reading to understand how Mahatma Gandhi’s brahmacharya practices shaped his personal life and spiritual journey.

A Bedroom Environment for Good Sleep: 2 Changes to Make

A comfortable bedroom environment for good sleep

Are you always waking up in the middle of the night? How does a warm bedroom prevent good sleep? There’s one factor that majorly influences sleep quality: the environment of your bedroom. In Sleep Smarter, Shawn Stevenson looks at two changes you can make to your sleep environment: sleeping temperature and bedroom air quality. Discover how to make the perfect bedroom environment for good sleep.

Importance of Animals to Humans: Love, Trust, and Community

A human hugging a border collie dog in her arms, showing the importance of animals to humans

Why should humans cherish animals? How can animals become a person’s family? Sy Montgomery’s animals taught her important lessons about love and community. She had a special relationship with three specific animals: two border collies, and her pet pig that helped her build a community. Let’s look at the importance of animals to humans, using Montgomery’s examples.

Drinks and Foods that Affect Sleep (+ Herbal Supplements)

Two hands holding coffee in bed, showing drinks and foods that affect sleep

What types of food and drinks are bad for sleep? Can you take herbal supplements to improve your sleep? In Sleep Smarter, Shawn Stevenson discusses how your dietary choices impact your sleep patterns and quality. Certain foods and drinks can either help to promote a restful sleep or disrupt it.  Check out the drinks and foods that affect sleep, positively or negatively.