This Old Nurse Trick Might Help You Sleep Better

Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

Breaking research on an old nurse sleeping hack has demonstrated that mindfulness can significantly improve sleep by minimizing repetitive, negative thoughts.

Those who maintained a focus on the present throughout the day not only slept better but also experienced lower stress levels and better overall health.

The key to understanding how mindfulness works lies in its connection to reduced rumination — the tendency to dwell on negative thoughts.

Dr. Claire Smith, the lead author of the study, emphasized:

“Mindfulness is often hailed as a cure-all for employee stress.

The way it’s typically discussed can make it seem like staying grounded in the present moment means you’ll never feel stressed.

However, I believe it’s essential to bring more nuance to this conversation.”

How The Study Was Conducted

Alleviating negative emotions The study tracked the moment-by-moment thoughts of 144 nurses over two weeks, alongside their stress levels and sleep quality.

Dr. Smith explained:

“We know that good sleep rejuvenates us both physically and mentally, contributing to our happiness, safety, and even ethical behavior at work.

Our goal was to examine which aspects of sleep are influenced by mindfulness and the reasons behind it.”

The findings revealed that mindfulness was associated with fewer negative emotions and less rumination among nurses, who often work in high-stress environments.

Mindfulness can shift the way people perceive their situations, as Dr. Smith described:

“For example, after receiving a negative performance review, you might shift your focus from self-criticism and feelings of incompetence to recognizing what you did well and considering how you can improve.”

Managing emotions The study suggests that mindfulness helps by enabling people to regulate their emotions more effectively.

Both ‘state’ mindfulness (the level of mindfulness you experience in a given moment) and ‘trait’ mindfulness (your general tendency to be mindful) were linked to better sleep health.

While some folks naturally possess higher levels of trait mindfulness, everyone has the capacity to enhance their mindfulness.

This means that even those with lower baseline mindfulness can benefit from focusing on the present moment.

Dr. Smith concluded:

“Mindfulness is a popular topic, but we need to understand why it works.

Our research is about revisiting the basics to uncover the underlying reasons for the benefits of mindfulness in the workplace.”

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

Smith, C. E., Mu, C. X., Venetto, A., Khan, A., Lee, S., & Small, B. J. (2024). Be present now, sleep well later: Mindfulness promotes sleep health via emotion regulation. Health Psychology, 43(9), 650–662. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001373