3 Mobile Applications to Help You Sleep Better

Working from home sure has many perks. But like everything else, it also has its downsides. Not having to go to a usual office set-up doesn’t mean that a virtual assistant is given minimal work. In fact, a VA usually has to juggle many tasks all at once just to get the job done. Some clients may push for deadlines, and this can put pressure on you or cause stress. All these expectations can unfortunately result to irregular sleeping patterns and in some occasions, sleep deprivation.

Working from home may sound great, but it does not usually allow you to get a good night’s sleep or even just enough sleep. Being a VA certainly comes with a price, and sacrificing sleep is one of them. With all the juggling of tasks and beating of deadlines, you might forget that you’ve gone past your normal sleeping time. Next thing you know, you’re already hearing the sound of your alarm and the sun has started to rise. This is a common scenario among VAs. The greater challenge then is how to put yourself to sleep when everyone else is awake.

According to Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. and Jennifer K. Nelson, R.D., L.D, more than 35 percent of adults report getting less than 7 hours of sleep each night. People who don’t get sufficient sleep are at greater risk of chronic health problems. This can even lead to cancer, increased mortality and reduced quality of life. These are facts that should not be taken lightly. It is a struggle to keep up with your daily obligations, but proper rest is just as important and must be prioritized.

To help you snooze better, here are some great mobile applications to help you relax and get that restful sleep that you deserve.

Relax Melodies: Oriental Meditation

This app is absolutely free and is available on both Android and iPhone devices. This perfect sleep companion has soothing sounds that mimic traditional oriental music. Totally soothing, this gem of an app also comes with a timer and an alarm clock. Use it for nights when you are especially stressed out and frantic to help you find calm in no time.

Relax and Sleep by Glenn Harold

For intense insomnia that cannot be cured by merely listening to soothing sounds, another good option is self-hypnosis meditation. This app gives you the soothing voice of clinical hypnotherapist named Glenn Harold. You’ll be happy to know that this helpful tool is also free and is available on both Android and iPhone devices. Give it a try, and you might find yourself dozing off to a more relaxed sleep.

Calm

Calm is one of the best meditation apps that is available now both on Android and iPhone devices. Although there is a fee, it has a free trial period of one week, so you can try it out and see for yourself if it is a worthy investment. Calm is essentially a guided premium meditation for all sorts of needs. Be it for focus, energy, confidence, sleep, or creativity, this app can surely help. The special feature of this app is its uplifting messages that do not only address sleep deprivation but anxiety and depression as well. It comes with programs ranging from 7-21 days depending on your level of commitment. Once you have to decided to purchase a subscription, you’ll be glad to know that they add new content monthly, so you’ll never run out of new things to try. Try it out and see how it can help you.

If you find yourself always in a bad mood or not as focused as you used to be, it could be due to sleep deprivation, so start tracking your sleeping pattern.

Do all the necessary steps to make sure that you are getting enough rest. It is your duty as a virtual assistant to take care of your health, not just for the purpose of being able to deliver impeccable work but to give proper attention to your needs as well.

Sleep is important for good health, so your well-being should not suffer. As cliche as it may sound, health is wealth. Start taking good care of yourself so you’ll thrive and continue to be the best virtual assistant that you are. Happy snoozing!

Source:

Nelson, J.K., and Zeratsky, K. ( 2014). For your health make, it a habit to get adequate
sleep. Retrieved on May 29, 2016 Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-blo
g/tips-for-better-sleep/bgp-20094773

Looking to get some serious snooze? Here are some more tips: VA Self Care: Tips to Get Good Quality Sleep.