I’m curious about the number of sleep-related posts on my social media feed lately.

It seems as if more and more people are experiencing poor quality sleep or not getting adequate sleep.

Sleep apnoea. Insomnia. Chronic and autoimmune illnesses, depression, anxiety.

As someone who has experienced low energy and fatigue for many years, I know intimately the importance of a good night’s sleep, and the side effects of disrupted or insufficient sleep.

As I get older, sleep is becoming my biggest luxury and necessity.

I have to watch what and how much I drink before bedtime, as it might mean getting up in the night to go to the bathroom – and struggling to get back to sleep for the next hour.

I am also much more intentional with my bedtime routine. I welcome it as a signal that it’s that time of day for nurturing and self-care: a good book, a foot rub that helps me feel relaxed and cared for, my diffuser gently filling the air with feel-good smells.

And if I need a nana nap now and then, I give myself permission to have one without feeling guilty that I am sleeping during the day.

I trust that my body knows what it needs, and I listen to it.