Sleep Stories, sleep meditations, music and soundscapes for your dreamiest sleep yet

While the recommended amount of sleep for adults is generally 7 to 9 hours per night, individual requirements can vary person to person, depending on factors such as age, lifestyle, and genetics. Pay attention to your body's signals, strive for consistency in your sleep routine to help regulate your body's internal clock, and prioritize both sleep duration and quality.

Finding it challenging to drift off to dreamland? Don't worry; you're not alone. Here are a few things that might help:

1. Establish a bedtime routine. Creating a calming bedtime routine can signal to your body and mind that it's time to unwind and prepare for sleep. Our Daily Move nighttime series can help promote relaxation. Calm also offers music and soundscapes that can set the stage for a peaceful sleep. What matters most is consistency.
2. Create a soothing nighttime environment. Set the tone for restful sleep by optimizing your surroundings. Ensure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet. Consider using earplugs, an eye mask, or one of our white noise soundscapes to give your brain something relaxing to focus on. This can help block out distractions and create the conditions for perfect sleep.
3. Limit screen time. Aim to limit screen time at least an hour before bed. The blue light emitted by electronic devices can interfere with your body's natural sleep-wake cycle. Instead, decompress with one of our Sleep Stories narrated by a voice or two you might recognize.
4. strong>Listen to music. Music can help quiet the mind and ease tension, helping soothe the day's stressors.

REM sleep, which stands for Rapid Eye Movement, is a distinct stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, increased brain activity, and vivid dreams. It is one of the four stages of sleep. It typically occurs cyclically throughout the night, with each REM period becoming progressively longer.

During REM sleep, brain activity resembles that of wakefulness, while our muscles experience temporary immobility, safeguarding us from physically acting out our dreams. This unique combination of heightened brain activity and muscle relaxation creates an ideal environment for profound mental and emotional restoration.

Stress and Anxiety: High levels of stress or anxiety can make it difficult to relax and fall asleep. Racing thoughts, worry, or an overactive mind can keep you awake at night.

Poor Sleep Habits: Irregular sleep patterns, inconsistent bedtime routines, excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption, and engaging in stimulating activities before bed can disrupt your sleep.

Environmental Factors: Uncomfortable sleeping environment, excessive noise, extreme temperatures, or inadequate lighting can interfere with your ability to fall asleep or stay asleep.

Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as chronic pain, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or hormonal imbalances can disrupt your sleep.

Mental Health Issues: Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health challenges can affect sleep patterns and quality.

Excessive sleep, also known as hypersomnia, can stem from various factors. It's essential to approach this occurrence with curiosity and compassion, recognizing that each individual's sleep needs can differ. Some possible causes might be:

Sleep Debt: If you consistently experience insufficient sleep, your body may be trying to compensate for the accumulated sleep debt, resulting in longer periods of sleep.

Underlying Health Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea, narcolepsy), depression, or thyroid issues, can contribute to excessive sleep.

Lifestyle Factors: Lifestyle choices, such as irregular sleep patterns, poor sleep hygiene, excessive physical or mental exertion, or high stress levels, can impact sleep duration.

Listen to your body's signals. If you consistently find yourself sleeping excessively and feeling refreshed upon waking, it may indicate that your body genuinely requires that amount of sleep. However, if excessive sleep leaves you feeling lethargic, groggy, or interferes with daily activities, it may be worth exploring potential underlying causes. If excessive sleep significantly impacts your daily life, it may be beneficial to consult with a healthcare professional.