It’s 2025, and sleep has quietly become a luxury item. Despite better tech, better mattresses and endless wellness advice, many of us are still awake at 2 a.m. – exhausted but restless. The reasons are not just “stress” or “blue light”.
Here’s a fresher look at what actually be happening:
You’re Overstimulated – All the Time
Notifications, AI tools, endless news, and even wellness trends are pushing your brain into constant hyperdrive. It’s not just your phone keeping you awake – it’s the 24/7 mental noise we’ve gotten used to.
You’re Mentally Exhausted but Physically Idle
Working from home? Doing a “thinking” job? A lot of us are mentally burnt out but physically still. Your body doesn’t recognize that sitting at a desk all day was “hard work”, so it’s not ready to shut down at night.
You’ve Lost Your Natural Sleep Cues
Artificial lighting, irregular schedules, working across time zones – all of this messes with the body’s natural rhythm. Your brain doesn’t feel the end of the day anymore.
Subtle Anxiety About the Future
Even if you’re not actively worrying, there’s a low grade hum of uncertainty about the future – career shifts, global instability, AI evolution – that keeps your nervous system slightly on edge.
You’re Sleeping with Too Much Technology
Smart beds, smart watches, sleep tracker. Ironically, obsessing over your sleep data can cause performance anxiety which later backfires.
Quick Tips to Fall Asleep Faster
- Write it down– If your mind is racing, grab a piece of paper or open a note on your phone and write down everything that’s on your mind. This can help get it out of your head and onto paper.
- Create a relaxing routine–
- Try deep breathing exercises (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds).
- Progressive muscle relaxation: Tense each muscle group and then release it, starting from your toes and moving up to your head.
- Avoid screens for 30 minutes before bed: If you’ve been on your phone or computer, try to avoid them for a while. Instead, read a book or listen to calming music.
- Drink something calming: A cup of warm tea (like chamomile) or warm milk can be comforting and soothing.
Bad sleep isn’t just about bad habits. It’s about the pace and pressure of modern life. Reclaiming your sleep means slowing down, tuning back into your body, and allowing perfection.
“Sleep isn’t something you force. It’s something you invite” – Surbhi Dhama (Author)
