Start a dream diary to change the way you feel

More and more people have trouble sleeping, and that doesn't necessarily mean they don't do it for enough hours per day. It also implies that the part of the population that sleeps but does not rest is growing. In the long run, that becomes a real burden, since lack of rest affects all our systems.

That is why it is very important to work on sleep disorders, and specialists increasingly recommend a simple, analog and cheap solution: make a sleep diary. Yes, keeping track of the way we sleep can be the real key to start solving the problem.

(You may also be interested: 8 very simple changes to teach your body to wake up earlier)

What is a dream diary?

Basically, a dream diary is a small notebook where you will write down many factors daily that can influence your rest. Not only what time do you go to bed and what time do you get up. You should keep a detailed record of different things you have done during the day.

In principle, the data that should not be missing in a sleep diary are:

• The time you went to bed
• The time you really slept, if you know it
• How many times do you wake up during the night
• How long did it take you to fall asleep again every time
• The time you woke up in the morning
• How many naps did you sleep that day and how long did each one last
• The medications you took

• How much alcohol or caffeine did you drink?
• What did you eat that day
• If you did physical activity and how much

You can also add your own categories, according to your lifestyle. For example, if you have watched television until very late and what kind of program, if you have had a very complicated day at work, if there have been situations of extreme stress in your day, etc. Also, when you wake up you should write down how you feel your rest has been.

What is the sleep diary for

Every night and every morning you have to complete the diary. At first it may seem strange to you, but soon you will begin to see patterns. That is where the effectiveness of the sleep diary lies. For example, you may find that you always sleep worse when you drink caffeine after 5 in the afternoon. There are people who are affected by coffee even many hours before falling asleep.

Or you may find that you feel better going to bed at one hour instead of another. As you complete the diary, you will begin to know yourself better and become more aware of how your day influences sleep.

Hence also the importance of choosing an analog newspaper. Writing in handwriting helps us to better visualize everything we put in and allows us to become more aware of our routines.

It is even advisable to start with the diary before making a visit to a professional, since it can serve as a tool to guide you in a recovery process.

(You may also be interested: Why sleeping a lot can have a negative effect on your weight)

And you, do you keep a dream diary? Tell us in the comments and share with your friends.

Important: It should be clarified that Bioguia does not give medical advice or prescribe the use of techniques as a form of treatment for physical or mental problems without the advice of a doctor, directly or indirectly. In the case of applying for this purpose some information on this site, Bioguia does not assume responsibility for those acts. The intention of the site is only to offer information of a general nature to help in the search for development and personal growth.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic

Jaredings