Additional tips to to avoid holiday stressors! 

Trouble Sleeping?

More and more research is coming out that the use of electronics near bedtime can interfere with sleep.  Light is considered one of the strongest factors affecting the body’s circadian clock, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle.  Melatonin is suppose to be highest at night to help induce sleep.  However, light can suppress melatonin and thus, disrupt the body’s circadian cycle.

So, if you are having trouble sleeping, monitor your use of anything with a light emitting screen: TV, lap top, cell phone, electronic reading device, etc.  The brighter the light and the closer you hold it to your eyes (as we are apt to do with cell phones) the more potentially disruptive the light can be to your whole system.

A poor night’s sleep can affect everything the next day:  your mood, your focus, your energy.  Do yourself a favor and leave at least 1-2 hours before bedtime free from electronics.  Give yourself a few days to see if your melatonin begins to kick back into gear and you have better sleep.

For other self-care tips, please visit the EAP and let a counselor assist you in some new ideas that are customized for YOU.  Make 2015 the year you finally achieve this New Year’s Resolution!

If you have trouble turning off your brain when you try to go to sleep at night, perhaps an app on your phone could help you. Helpline.com lists a number of different apps for iPhone and Android phones. Some apps have soothing sounds. Others guide you through a short meditation. Another one can track your sleep cycles and adjust your alarm time so you are awakened during a light phase of your sleep, rather than when you are in a deep sleep. Helpline does not endorse any of the apps, but there are ratings on the website for each app. Prices range from free to $4.99. For some people it helps to talk with a counselor, who is an objective person with, perhaps, a different perspective to help you sort out all those thoughts in your head. The EAP offers short term, free counseling to employees and their family members. For more information call 410.328.5860 to set up an appointment, or email us through this website.

If you have trouble turning off your brain when you try to go to sleep at night, perhaps an app on your phone could help you. Helpline.com lists a number of different apps for iPhone and Android phones. Some apps have soothing sounds. Others guide you through a short meditation. Another one can track your sleep cycles and adjust your alarm time so you are awakened during a light phase of your sleep, rather than when you are in a deep sleep. Helpline does not endorse any of the apps, but there are ratings on the website for each app. Prices range from free to $4.99. For some people it helps to talk with a counselor, who is an objective person with, perhaps, a different perspective to help you sort out all those thoughts in your head. The EAP offers short term, free counseling to employees and their family members. For more information call 410.328.5860 to set up an appointment, or email us through this website.

A study in Canada revealed that employees who used their Employee Assistance Program (EAP) were 73% MORE likely to get a promotion than those who did not use the EAP. The study included 6500 women and over 8300 men. One of the theories as to why this helps employees get promoted is that individuals are able to increase their coping skills so they can better handle the job and life in general. Every little bit helps! Contact us today for new coping skills. 410.328.5860