We all need quality sleep – expats too!
As someone who has lived in different countries, I know that being an expat can come with different challenges, one of them being getting good sleep. But what is sleep? Simply put, it’s when your body and brain take time to rest and recover. Quality sleep is important for everyone, but especially for expats who are already dealing with the stress of new environments, cultural differences, and homesickness.
As a resource, I highly recommend Being Expat’s guide to Staying Healthy and Fit as an Expat, which has tips for both physical and mental health.
Step 1: Understand Your Sleep Cycle
Hey there, fellow expat! Before we can work on improving our quality of sleep, it’s important to understand our natural sleep cycle. You see, our body operates on a 24-hour rhythm known as the circadian rhythm. This rhythm helps regulate our sleep-wake cycle and is influenced by factors such as light, temperature, and social cues.
Now, let’s dive a bit deeper into the different stages of sleep. There are generally four stages of sleep, with the first three being non-REM (NREM) and the fourth being REM sleep. During NREM sleep, our body relaxes, our heart rate and breathing slow down, and our brain waves form slow patterns. REM sleep, on the other hand, is where most of our dreaming occurs. Our brain waves increase in activity, and our eyes move rapidly.
One interesting thing to note is that the duration and order of these stages vary throughout the night. Typically, we experience longer periods of NREM sleep in the first half of the night and longer periods of REM sleep in the second half. This is why it’s important to get a full night’s worth of sleep to ensure we experience all stages of sleep.
Wake Up Refreshed: 5 Steps to Better Sleep for Expats
Step 2: Get into a routine! This is a crucial step for getting a better night’s sleep as an expat. Consistency is key. When you wake up and go to bed at the same time every day, your body becomes accustomed to your schedule and will naturally start to wind down when it’s time for bed. Establish a routine that you find relaxing and enjoyable, and stick to it. For me, I like to read a book for 30 minutes before bed, followed by a few minutes of meditation. This routine signals to my body that it’s time to sleep, and I fall asleep quickly and easily.
Creating a bedtime routine isn’t just about what you do before bed, but also about what you do throughout the day. If you’re active and engaged during the day, you’ll be more likely to feel tired at night. Try to exercise every day, even if it’s just a 30-minute walk. Also, avoid consuming caffeine or alcohol before bed, as these substances can interfere with your sleep.
The routine you establish should be personal to you, and it may take some time to find the right combination of activities that work for you. But once you do, stick to it. Even on the weekends or during holidays, try to maintain your sleep schedule as much as possible to avoid disrupting your body’s natural rhythm.
Step 3: Manage Stress
As an expat, I know firsthand how stressful the relocation process can be. To ensure that I get quality sleep, I make it a priority to manage my stress levels. The first step is identifying my stress triggers. For me, it’s usually work-related or feeling homesick. Once I’ve identified these triggers, I can develop strategies for managing them. One strategy that works well for me is exercise. Whenever I’m feeling stressed, I make it a point to go for a walk or hit the gym. Physical activity helps me release tension and clear my mind. Another strategy that I’ve found helpful is deep breathing exercises. Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, I take a few deep breaths and focus on my breath. I also make sure to avoid consuming caffeine or alcohol in the evening, as they can make it harder for me to fall asleep and increase my stress levels. In addition, I try to avoid using my phone or computer for at least an hour before bedtime, as the blue light can interfere with my sleep and increase my stress levels. Managing stress is not just important for getting better sleep as an expat, but it’s also necessary for overall health and well-being. By identifying my stress triggers and developing strategies for managing them, I’m able to get the quality sleep I need to stay healthy and productive.
Step 4: Monitor Your Diet and Exercise
Alright, it’s time to talk about food and exercise. As an expat, it’s easy to fall into unhealthy habits because of the new environment and the excitement of discovering new cuisines. But remember, what you put in your body directly affects your sleep quality!
First things first, let’s talk about food. It’s essential to make sure you’re eating healthy, nutritious meals. Try to avoid eating large meals close to bedtime as this may disrupt your sleep. Instead, opt for a light snack, such as fruit or nuts, if you need something to eat before bedtime.
Now, onto exercise. Getting regular exercise can do wonders for your sleep quality. It doesn’t have to be intense – even a brisk walk or a yoga session can make a difference. However, try not to exercise too close to bedtime as this can have the opposite effect and make it harder to fall asleep.
Remember, sleep, diet, and exercise are all interconnected. By monitoring what you eat and staying active, you can improve your sleep quality and wake up feeling refreshed and energized as an expat.
I Did It My Way: Step 5 – Adjusting Your Sleeping Environment
Okay, folks, we’ve made it to the final step. I don’t know about you, but this has been a bumpy ride. Being an expat, it’s challenging to navigate busy work schedules, a new culture, different time zones, and so on. But we’re not giving up yet! The last step to achieving quality sleep is adjusting your sleeping environment, and let me tell you, this is a game-changer.
Firstly, It’s essential to set up a comfortable sleeping environment. Our sleep space should be designated solely for relaxing. No electronics, no work documents. I know it’s tempting to watch Netflix in bed, but that’s just going against our natural sleep cycle that we talked about in step one. We should also invest in comfortable bedding, pillows, and a mattress. Take advantage of the bed sizes available in your new country. Get the biggest bed possible!
Secondly, the temperature! Too hot, and you’ll wake up in a sweat. Too cold, and you’ll be shivering all night. Adjust the room temperature, so it’s not too hot or cold. You can use a fan or heater to assist. It’s also vital to consider ambient noise. Living in an expat community can come with its share of outside noise. Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones will be a lifesaver.
We’ve made it to the end! We’ve covered all the essential steps to help you get quality sleep. It’s vital to remember that we’re all different, and some tips will work better than others. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. Remember, sleep is vital for our overall health and wellbeing. We’re expats, and we’ve come this far. We can achieve quality sleep.
That’s a wrap, now sleep tight!
Well, there you have it! A complete guide on how to get quality sleep as an expat. Don’t forget that we are all unique individuals, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Be patient with yourself, and keep trying until you find what works best for you. Remember, quality sleep is essential for optimal health and wellbeing as an expat.
So, create a bedtime routine, manage your stress, monitor what you eat, adjust your sleeping environment, and most importantly, understand your natural sleep cycle.
By following these steps, you will be on your way to getting quality sleep and living your best life as an expat. Sleep tight!
