Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Sleep used to be simple. We turned off the lights, closed our eyes, and woke up fresh. Now? We turn off the lights, check our phones one last time, fall into a scroll-hole, remember an unfinished email, open the laptop, and — poof! — it is 1.47am.
By the time we do fall asleep, the brain is still replaying office presentations, gym schedules, and grocery lists on repeat. And before we know it, the alarm starts its morning symphony. Somehow, we still show up to work pretending that four hours of sleep and two cups of coffee are ‘totally fine’.
The irony of modern life is simple: we sacrifice sleep to be more productive but end up being too tired to function properly. In order to stay ahead in the rat race, sleep is the first thing many people compromise. ‘I’ll sleep when I succeed’, we tell ourselves, forgetting that success tastes sweeter when you are not yawning through it. We live in a time where people wear ‘busy-ness’ like a badge of honour. But being constantly tired is not a sign of dedication — it is a sign of imbalance.
Lack of sleep does not just dull our skin and darken our under-eyes — it quietly steals our calm. Sleep isn’t just about physical rest; it is mental therapy — the time when the brain clears clutter and resets for sanity.
There was a time when I, too, was juggling and struggling to calm my body and soul. As a mother and wife, my so-called duties and responsibilities often overshadowed my own peace of mind. The little calm I managed to find would vanish under the weight of work stress. I found myself irritable, frustrated, and constantly on edge, with puffy eyes and a restless mind that refused to slow down. Deep down, I knew this chaos is unhealthy and unnecessary, yet I kept pushing on, convincing myself that one day I would finally relax. But as we all know, that ‘one day’ never arrives.
One quiet evening, I paused to ask myself: Why was my health deteriorating despite all the medication? Why did my skin look dull despite using the best cosmetics? And why did I never truly feel rested or happy?
The answer, as it turned out, was simple yet profound — I was missing something essential: a good, sound sleep.
I decided to change some habits which I am sure could help you too.
Treat sleep like an important meeting. Chalk down your bedtime seriously.
Power down to power off. Promise yourself a 30-minute gadget-free window before bed – no late-night emails or endless scrolling and definitely no ‘just one more episode’.
Create a bedroom that feels like a spa. Your bedroom should whisper ‘relax’. Keep it cool, dark and clutter-free. Fluff your pillows, use calming scents like lavender, perhaps, and invest in comfortable sheets.
Eat but don’t feast. Late-night snacks can be comforting but they can also keep you awake. Avoid heavy, spicy, or sugary foods close to bedtime. Instead, opt for something light — or simply hydrate. Remember, the goal is to let your body rest, not digest.
Clear your mind before the pillow talk. Try jotting down your to-do list for tomorrow or write three things you are grateful for.
Move a little during the day. Exercise and movement help regulate energy and make sleep come naturally at night. A brisk walk, light yoga, or even a dance session while cooking counts. Just don’t work out too close to bedtime, unless you enjoy staying up until midnight feeling like the Energizer bunny!
Let go of the guilt. Sometimes, the day does not go as planned and that is okay. If you sleep late or wake up tired, do not beat yourself up. The point of a sleep routine is progress, not perfection.
A good sleep isn’t just about beauty — it is about balance. So tonight, instead of chasing deadlines or dreams, chase your duvet. Because sometimes, the best way to glow up — inside and out — is to simply go to bed.
(Preety is a psychologist and author.)
