Dr. Michael Breus

Now, if you're going to get out of bed, you need to have an area already set up.

So what I recommend for people is they have a chair with a book that they're currently reading with a table lamp next to it, and they can go directly there.

Because what I don't want is at three o'clock in the morning, you're looking around for something to do.

Because what will happen is you'll flip on the TV, you'll get engrossed in a show, and then it's two hours and you don't even realize that it's been two hours.

I want you to go to a calming activity like reading a book.

And by the way, it doesn't have to be anything particularly interesting or a magazine or something.

But in a calm, relaxed environment, then once you feel your eyelids getting heavy, go back to sleep.

Right?

Or...

stay in bed.

Now, you might be saying, well, why would I stay in bed?

There's actually data on something called non-sleep deep rest.

We used to call it yoga nidra, which is lying with your arms across your chest like this and just relaxing.

It turns out that that is rejuvenative.

It's not as good as sleep.

If you do that for an hour, it's worth about 20 minutes of sleep, but it's still worth something.

I want every human that's listening to understand that even if you're lying there,

awake, but calm, relaxed, and in a dark, cool environment, your body is still benefiting, even if you're not sleeping.

And the final thing I like to tell people is you got to stay positive.

And now you might be saying, okay, I know California doctor all woo woo and Mr. Positivity here.