Hello out there friends! The past few weeks have been nuts with doctors appointments (I got a new diagnosis and med, go me! Insert sarcastic eye roll here) and the back to school chaos (my baby is getting SO big! She reads this sometimes so I love you beautiful!) So theres a video in the works currently, as you guys know I’m trying this out as I go so it takes me a bit to get everything synced up the way I want it, and I want to do a regular video soon! I have a double eye infection and am super self conscious right now, and in my mental state I know I wouldnt be able to handle the criticism or comments so those more personal ones will be coming your way after my eye doctor appointment next week. I think its next week. I am the worst. Its soon LOL. Until then, lets chat a bit about sleep, and why we should prioritze it.

If you’re juggling more health conditions than a circus clown juggles balls, then getting proper sleep isn’t just important—it’s as crucial as oxygen, you hear me? Quality sleep isn’t some fancy-ass luxury; it’s a damn necessity for us walking pharmacies. (Is it just me? The way I’m popping pills every few hours I feel like I spend more time at Walgreens than some of the employees LOL actually at our Walgreens I likely have been lol their employee retention efforts are not working as they were intended)

Why Sleep Matters Even More for Us Sorry Suckers

When you’re dealing with a smorgasbord of conditions, sleep becomes more important than ever :

Pain Management: Good sleep can make you feel less like you’ve been hit by a truck. Hallelujah! (notice I said LESS)

Immune Function: Sleep boosts your immune system. Because let’s face it, you need all the help you can get, you delicate flower.

Mental Health: Proper sleep might just keep you from losing your shit completely. Anxiety and depression, meet your nemesis!

Cognitive Function: Sleep sharpens your mind. You know, so you can remember all those damn pills you have to take.

Inflammation Reduction: Quality sleep can help reduce inflammation. Because you’re not puffy enough already, right?

Tips for Achieving Better Sleep (You Know, If You’re Into That Sort of Thing)

Now that we’ve established why sleep is so fucking important, let’s talk about how to actually get some, you insomniac bastard:

Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Develop a pre-sleep ritual. Read a book, do some gentle stretching, or hell, talk to your plants. Whatever floats your boat. I try and shut small electronics off (phone and kindle) one hour before I intend to go to sleep. No doom scrolling before bed!

Stick to a Schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Yes, even on weekends, you party animal. People think I’m crazy, I’m up by no later than 5, weekends, vacations, whatever. Do I LIKE getting up that early? I didnt when it started, but once I adjusted and leaned into it and stopped trying to force myself to sleep when I wasnt tired enough to I’ve found I love my morning quiet time. Figure out your own circadian rhythm and learn to plan things around what your body tell you that you need. I find I need far less naps getting through life when I go to bed and get up earlier than everyone. Now I just nap if I know I have something I need to stay up late for lol.

Optimize Your Sleep Environment: Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. Basically, turn it into a cave. A comfy cave.

Limit Screen Time: Put down the damn phone! Your Facebook friends can wait until morning.

Watch Your Diet: No midnight nachos for you, buddy. Your stomach will thank you later.

Exercise Regularly: Move your ass during the day so you can rest it at night. Just don’t go running marathons before bedtime, lol.

Manage Stress: Try some deep breathing or meditation. Even light stretching on the days when the pain level is high, just keep to keep moving. Or just scream into a pillow. We don’t judge.

Consider Sleep Aids: If all else fails, talk to your doc about sleep meds. But for the love of all that’s holy, make sure they play nice with your other meds. I always check with my doc to see, even if its over the counter meds.

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a good sleep routine. Be patient with yourself, you beautiful soul. Your body and mind will thank you for prioritizing sleep—or at least hate you a little less. Sweet dreams, my friends. Be kind to yourselves, and each other and here’s to better sleep and not wanting to murder everyone tomorrow!