Having trouble getting a good night’s sleep? Download Abide for Christian sleep meditations that use calming techniques and Scripture verses framed in calming stories to lull you into a peaceful slumber.
There’s nothing worse than waking up feeling unrested. On those mornings, I can’t help but feel thankful that I slept at all—a miracle, considering my past struggles with insomnia. But still, I feel like I should have slept better. Whether I woke up in the middle of the night or tossed and turned because of anxiety, waking up in the morning and still feeling tired is no way to live. I wanted to learn how to sleep better so I could tackle my days with energy and a true sense of inner peace.
Why God Wants Us to Rest Well
Engaging in God’s work is incredibly rewarding, whether it’s through acts of service, following the calling He has sent us, or living out our faith in our daily lives. It brings a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment. But we need to remember that God also calls us to take care of ourselves and rest well. We need to balance our spiritual commitments with our physical and emotional well-being.
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus tells us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Jesus desires for us to achieve restful sleep because it aligns with God’s plan for our spiritual well-being. Through sleep, we are given the chance to ease our worries and temporarily set down our burdens. When we allow our souls to rest, we can awaken with a divine sense of energy, confidence, and peace that comes from knowing we have given our struggles to God. By learning how to sleep better, we are in a place to hear God’s guidance and direction for our lives.
What is Stopping You from Sleeping Better?
The first step in learning how to sleep better is to understand what is keeping you from the fulfilling rest you need. Perhaps you’re like me and struggle with anxiety. Maybe you are a new parent juggling the demands of a baby’s sleep schedule. Or perhaps you are a nightshift worker who struggles to sleep during the day. Whatever the reason, ask yourself these questions to help you identify what is preventing you from sleeping better:
- Do I have difficulty turning my mind off as I lie in bed?
- Am I consuming caffeine or other stimulants too close to bedtime?
- Do I have a regular bedtime routine that tells my body it’s time to wind down?
- Am I using electronic devices right before bed, and how is that affecting my sleep?
- Is my bedroom dark, quiet, and cool enough to promote restful sleep?
- Am I feeling overwhelmed or stressed about specific issues in my life?
- Am I getting enough physical activity during the day to promote better sleep?
- Am I holding onto unresolved emotions or conflicts that might keep me awake?
How to Find Better Sleep Through Your Faith
Now that you have a better idea of what might be keeping you from resting well, you can now learn how to sleep better with God’s comfort. As we’ve already learned, the Lord calls on us to rest and trust in Him. Here are a few ways we can find better sleep through our faith:
1. Do Christian Meditations Before Bed
Whether you struggle with anxiety, feeling protected, or finding a sense of hope before bed, Christian meditation can be an effective way to connect with God right before your bedtime. The meditations available on the Abide app can help you learn how to sleep better through peaceful guided narrations that can help you settle an array of emotions or struggles. Use these meditations as a tool to bring your mind into a place of peace, realign your focus on your relationship with God, and finally rest in a spiritually helpful way.
2. Make Your Bedroom a Sacred Space
Creating a sacred space in your bedroom is an essential step towards cultivating an environment conducive to better sleep and spiritual serenity. Start by decluttering your space; a tidy room can significantly reduce your anxiety and help you relax. Surround yourself with items that inspire peace, such as your Bible, your journal, or scriptures that are meaningful to you. Consider setting aside a small corner for prayer or meditation. By shaping your bedroom into a sanctuary, you create a space for spiritual renewal where you can surrender your worries and embrace a deeper connection with God.
3. Try Sleep Recovery Audios
Is there a very specific problem that is keeping you from sleeping better? Perhaps it’s relationship trouble, financial concerns, or just some generalized anxiety that you haven’t been able to get under control. That’s why Abide has sleep recovery audios with these specific topics in mind. These audios can address your specific struggles by contextualizing them and providing some much-needed comfort. As you listen, the narration brings your attention back to the inner peace God can provide and then guides you to a place of authentic rest.
4. Switch to Caffeine-Free Tea in the Afternoon
There’s nothing better than a fresh cup of coffee to get you through that 3 p.m. slump. Believe me, I’ve done it many times. But when my head finally hits the pillow that night, I find myself tossing and turning with too much caffeine in my system. Instead of relying on coffee or soda to get you through the day, switch to a caffeine-free herbal tea in the afternoon. Not only will it give you a small energy boost without the caffeine crash later, but it can also provide soothing properties that promote relaxation and better sleep. I’ll even sip on a cup of chamomile right before bed, letting the aroma and warmth calm my body down and bring me relaxation before I sleep.
5. Listen to Peaceful Soundscapes While You Sleep
Sometimes learning how to sleep better does not involve doing more. Perhaps you’ve checked off many of the problems in this list, but you still can’t rest well because of an external problem. Maybe your partner snores, you have noisy neighbors, or there’s one car alarm in your neighborhood that always manages to go off right as you’re about to rest. Thankfully, you can find peace through God’s comfort by tuning into peaceful soundscapes while you sleep. These audio recordings available on Abide feature calming nature sounds, soothing music, or peaceful white noise that can help drown out disruptive noises and create a tranquil atmosphere for restful sleep.
6. Be More Active During the Day
Something I noticed while learning how to sleep better was that I struggled more on the days that I skipped my workouts or didn’t go for my daily walk. My limbs felt restless and even my mind was racing. However, by being more active during the day and getting my body moving, I found that I could fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Our bodies are designed for movement, so make sure you prioritize physical activity in your daily routine. Even if it’s just a walk around the block or a few stretches, your body will thank you for the movement and reward you with better sleep.
7. Spend Your Evenings with Jesus
Are you looking for an evening meditation that will draw you closer to Jesus? With the Abide audio series Evenings with Jesus, you will be led through relaxing devotions that will calm your mind and lead you to a place of spiritual reflection. Each piece focuses on a different Bible verse and helps you lose yourself in the calming Word of God. These audios can help remind you what brings peace, bring you a sense of God’s love, and let you reflect on the simple moments in life that can bring you joy—all from the minds of skilled authors who know firsthand the benefits an evening with Jesus can bring.
8. Keep a Consistent Bedtime Routine
Let’s face it, we are creatures of habit. Even when I’m traveling or working on an exciting new project, I still want something concrete and reliable I can fall back on. For me, that’s my nighttime routine. And if you are learning how to sleep better, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s not just about going to bed at the same time or always brushing your teeth. It’s about using the time before bed to prepare your body for rest. Your routine can include things like reading a good book, listening to calming music, or praying to God about your day. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that calms you and signals your mind and body that it’s time for sleep.
9. Use Your Bedtime Prayers to Wind Down
At the end of a long day, setting aside time for prayer can be the perfect way to transition into restful sleep. Consider using your bedtime prayers as an intentional practice to calm your mind and spirit. Begin by finding a quiet space where you feel comfortable and at peace. As you settle in, take a moment to release the stresses of the day, acknowledging the burdens you may have carried. Speak to God openly about your worries, fears, and any lingering thoughts that might disrupt your sleep. Use this time not only to present your concerns but also listen for God’s reply in meditative silence.
10. Lose Yourself in a Sleep Story
On certain nights when I can’t sleep well, even after I’ve done my routines, calmed my mind, and reflected on my day, I still can’t get out of my head. In those moments, turning to a relaxing sleep story is an effective way to shut off our minds for a little bit and slip into a space where we can finally rest. Abide’s sleep stories will transport you to places where your soul can find peace, and your mind can return to aligning with God’s word. No matter what your day looked like, you know you can always return to that sacred place and find rest in the Lord.
Let Abide help you sleep better. Our 400+ Bible-based sleep stories all exist for that reason. Join the thousands of people who now experience better sleep with Abide. Download the app and start a premium subscription. This will gain you access to our entire library of content. Use this link for 25% off.
