Do you hate to hear that annoying alarm clock sound in the morning? Do you ever wake up and think it’s the weekend and OOPS! It’s Monday! Bummer! Are you tired even before you start your workday at 8:00am?  Are you ready to go to bed when you get home from work or school? Well, if you have difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep, you are not alone. These are common sleep issues.

Difficulty falling asleep – is what it sounds like- you can’t get to sleep. You may feel wide awake when you know you need to be drowsy. Perhaps worries and anxieties keep your mind so busy that you can’t relax. Maybe noises or bright lights outside your window are drawing your attention. Whatever the cause, you can’t fall asleep easily, or at all.

Difficulty staying asleep – is different. You may fall asleep when you want to, but you awaken in the middle of the night or too early in the morning. Once awake, you feel totally alert and can’t go back to sleep. If you’re anxious, your racing thoughts may begin at this point, keeping you from going back to sleep.

There can be underlying medical conditions that you might want to speak with your physician about, such as sleep apnea, menopause, chronic pain, low blood sugar, etc. They will be the best to diagnose your condition and treat it.

Another reason can be your mental health.  Concerns such as anxiety, depression, emotional pain can also affect your sleep.  Breathing exercises, sleep hygiene, relaxation tips, etc. can be helpful. You can reach out to EAN to help you sort out these sleep concerns out and get some suggestions and recommendations.

A good night’s sleep can make a world of difference! So, go catch some “zzzzzzzzz’s”!

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” … Our “comfort zone” is a behavioral space that we tend to spend most of our time in. It is a “zone” where our behaviors and activities fit a routine and pattern.  It a space that helps us process stress and the risks we are willing to take based on the situation and possible result or outcome. Please keep in mind it doesn’t have to be a life-or-death decision. To get out of your “comfort zone” means you are willing to step out of the comfortable space and do something different or out of the norm that you would normally do Anything from choosing a restaurant to eat dinner at to shopping online instead of in a retail store. Just make a choice that’s unusual for your routine without overthinking it.   There are ways and options to get out of that “zone”.  Creating a challenge to push yourself in areas you want to improve or change for the better.  Sometimes, life transitions create situations that take us out of our “comfort zone”.  A new job, a new school year, a new relationship, moving to a new home or city – these are life transitions. EAN can help with these life transitions and offer suggestions and support.  Just step out of your “comfort zone” and contact EAN to schedule an appointment.