For some, mental illness can cause sleep problems; for others, mental health conditions can be worsened by poor sleep. Plus, chronic sleep problems are much more likely to affect those who are already struggling with mental illness. Worse, Americans are notoriously bad at sleeping, and nearly half of Americans admit to feeling sleepy during the day between three and seven days every week.
Sleeping keeps us all healthy – giving our bodies (and brains) a chance to recharge and repair. Without sleep, you’re putting yourself at risk of developing various mental and physical health problems, including:
- Mood changes
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Memory, focus, and concentration issues
- Poor motor function
- Weakened immune system
- High blood pressure
- Increased likelihood of developing chronic diseases, like diabetes and heart disease
- Weight gain or metabolic issues
This probably isn’t news to you though. We all know we should be getting 7+ hours of sleep (as adults), yet we’re still not making sleep a priority. Why? It depends. For some, you just can’t turn off your brain at night. For others, there are simply not enough hours in the day. Perhaps some of you are waking up repeatedly throughout the night, so you are sleeping, it’s just not very restful.
Regardless of what’s holding you back from your best night sleep, these guided faith-based meditations will help you break the cycle of sleep deprivation and start sleeping better.
At the End of the Day
This mindfulness meditation reminds us that God’s favor rests on us all the days of our life. As you take a few deep breaths, invite God’s presence in and exhale the events of your day. Let your thoughts drift further and further away from you, as you listen to the words of Psalm 90:12, and remember that all of your days are in God’s hands. Throughout this guided sleep meditation, walk with us through various relaxation techniques designed to help you drift off to sleep in the loving arms of the Holy Spirit. Click here to listen now.
God’s Hands
God’s hands are tender, fulfilling, and sometimes—a place of loving intervention. As you listen to this soothing bedtime story, take a few deep breaths, filling yourself with the love of the Holy Spirit with each inhale. God knows that you’ve had a long day, and he longs for you to have deep rest. Let go of your to-do list and watch your tensions drift away with every exhale, as you’re reminded that in God’s hands you’re safe, quiet, and warm. Pay attention to how much God loves you, and let all other expectations melt away, as you give it over to him. Click here to listen now.
Rest in Grace
If you’re struggling with insomnia tonight, meditate to the very best news of all: the gospel, the good news that Jesus saved you from sin and death. With these words, you can rest easy for all eternity. As you listen to this bedtime prayer, take a moment to really get comfortable—preparing your mind, body, and soul for rest, and knowing that God is with you. Ask the Lord to minister to you, as you sleep, so that you may experience true rest and renewal. Click here to listen now.
From Worry to Peace
Sometimes it seems like worry is something you’ll never shake, just something you’ll have to learn to live with. As you listen to this nighttime meditation, pause and take a deep breath. Relax your shoulders and feel your mind slow down, as your heart turns to the word of God for peace. In Philippians 4, the apostle Paul reminds us to stop worrying. “Do not be anxious about anything,” he explains, “but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” As you lay down to sleep, acknowledge your worries, greet them, and then turn them over to God. Ask God to grant you his peace in return, so you can rest easy in his arms tonight. Click here to listen now.
Resting Day
Sometimes it can feel like life is a race, and if you stop to catch your breath – even just for a moment – you’ll get so far behind that you’ll never catch up. In this mindfulness meditation, we’re reminded that God’s plan for the world includes regular rest. God didn’t need to rest, but in Genesis, God rested to show us how to live well. God rested so that we would understand that to flourish, we have to stop working sometimes. If you’re refusing God’s call to rest, take a moment to acknowledge that you live and breathe at the mercy of God. Meditate on the truth that he is in control; he is good. Click here to listen now.
If you liked any of these meditations, check out Abide’s library of over 1,500 full-length meditations, 100+ bedtime stories, and step-by-step guides designed to help you and your entire family sleep better and stress less. Download Abide now to access all of this content (and more).
