How can a Sleep Coach Help with your Sleep?

The use of sleep coaches has been on the rise for some time, and with good reason. With the non-stop pace of life and increased use of technical devices from laptops and phones to tablets and e-readers, many people struggle with drifting off for deep, refreshing sleep. Turning to a sleep coach is a holistic approach to solving sleep disturbances and falling back in love with bedtime. New to coaching? Read on to discover what a sleep coach is, how it works and the benefits it can have for your slumber.

What is a sleep coach?

A sleep coach could be considered the fairy godmother of bedtime. They are trained professionals who can help both adults and children resolve their sleeping problems. Sleep expert Max Kirsten has been a sleep coach since 2003. He says, “It’s my job to be a poor sleep detective to identify why people are not sleeping well, long enough, or deeply enough.” This can be for many reasons, from lack of routine and not having the right pillow to lifestyle choices or even diet.

A sleep coach may have overcome their own sleeping problems – like Max, who experienced insomnia for many years. Over time, he has developed his own award-winning methods and ways to help his clients get a good night’s sleep.

What type of sleep problems can a sleep coach help with?

The reasons many people find it hard to drift off are varied, from lifestyle choices and anxiety to disorders like sleep apnea. Whatever the reason, over time, the lack of nourishing, quality sleep can impact both physical and mental well-being. A sleep coach can help with a range of issues, taking a look at what can be changed to help you get back into a good routine and feel at your best. “I see the people who find trying to sleep a conscious effort. Falling asleep is a natural process that you cannot do consciously.” Max says. He coaches everyone from the sleep-deprived ‘over-thinkers’ with ‘racing-mind’ syndrome to late-night screen-addicted teenagers and also the twenty to thirty-somethings who never get enough sunlight in the mornings with circadian rhythm imbalances. He also coaches the sleep saboteurs, who do all the things that can negatively impact their sleep ability, quality and depth of sleep without any concept of practising positive sleep hygiene behaviour.

What happens during a sleep coaching session?

During an initial session, your coach will usually begin by asking you questions about your current sleeping set-up and lifestyle. This can include looking at everything from nutrition and exercise habits to your working schedule. This helps them to get a picture of what could be causing you problems. They will want to know if you have any underlying sleeping disorders, how long you’ve had them, and what the effects have been. Max explains that he does not teach people how to sleep. Sleep is not something you can learn to do consciously. Instead, he teaches people how to relax deeply, to get out of the way, to allow it to happen, and to coach them to prepare optimally in every way before they go to bed. “It’s often all about achieving small but significant marginal gains that help to improve your sleep quality,” says Max.

How can a sleep coach benefit your slumber?

From understanding what has led to your sleep issues to providing a constructive plan to get you back on track, a sleep coach can benefit your slumber. Here are some of the dreamy benefits a coach can bring to bedtime;

Appreciating natural rest

A good sleep coach will help you understand your repeating nightly 4-5 sleep cycles and how to optimise them. Max says, “he helps people value the natural process of rest, which includes the repeating semi-conscious ‘light sleep’ stage between deep sleep and REM sleep throughout the night. Understanding this can help to reduce the worry and anxiety many poor sleepers experience before bedtime or if they feel semi-awake a few times during the night. Vaguely waking is completely normal; there’s nothing to panic about.

Develop better sleeping habits

From avoiding blue light and caffeine before bed to having a cool shower and setting the temperature at the optimum setting of 18.5 degrees, a coach takes time to get to know your lifestyle habits that are getting in the way of relaxing and helps you to develop sleep improving ones instead.

Create a better relationship with bedtime

Making sure you have everything you need for a great night’s rest is one of the best investments for your well-being. A supportive mattress, pillow and breathable bedding will encourage a better relationship with bedtime. You want the bed to be a place where you cannot wait to relax deeply at the end of your day. This means taking time to choose the best products that support your unique dominant sleeping position and preferences.

Snooze success stories

Working with a coach has been incredibly successful for many sleepers, from reducing anxiety around drifting off to developing healthier, more restorative bedtime habits. Mia used to be a police officer working on a 5-day on/off schedule of 12-hour shifts and then developed sleep difficulties that lasted for years. She says after using Max’s ‘ABC of Better Sleep’ Insomnia downloads, she now “falls asleep before the recording ends.” If you find you have developed an unhealthy relationship with rest, working with a sleep coach can help you fall back in love with drifting off at bedtime.

How can you find the right sleep coach for you?

There are many coaches available worldwide, and finding the right one for you can take time. It is best to read reviews and look at coaches who specialise in the particular area you are struggling with. Having an initial consultation with a coach can help make sure they are the right fit for you. You want to choose a coach you can trust, and feel comfortable and relaxed enough with to open up and let them coach you back to getting a good night’s sleep again.

The sleepy takeaway

Sleep coaching can work for many people and is a healthy, holistic way to help you get back to sleeping soundly. If you are considering giving it a try, take your time to find the right one for you. Working with a sleep coach could be just the thing to have you drifting off shortly after snuggling into bed and waking up restored, refreshed and ready for the day. Ultimately, a certified sleep coach can help you enjoy better sleep in a natural, balanced and more holistic way.