Sleep issues is actually pretty common issues that I see with my patients. And if I can usually motivate the patients to improve thier sleep, I do notice that thier mental health also improves. And with us having our phones with us all the time and phones being so addictive, I see that a lot of patients especialy adolescents are struggling with sleep issues.
SLEEP DIARY/ SLEEP TRACKER
I usually talk about how there might be reasons that we might be having a hard time sleeping because of the unwitting hidden benefits that we get from not sleeping (scrolling on our phone, think of all the thoughts that we avoid during the day, catch up to work that we procrastinated, sleep in during weekends, long naps during the day, or enjoy the morning sleep). So, I ask my patient to keep a sleep diary so that they can recognize the pattern and hidden benefits that we choose not to see.
Tips and tools to fall asleep faster and stay asleep
I then have them make a list of reasons behind making changes to their environment, habits, and routine. And have them make a small goal/ commitment to change some parts of their life to improve their sleep. I have them choose the things that they are already doing and what one thing they can choose from the list to change that week.
