ANCSLEEP BLOG

Sleep isn’t simply a matter of feeling tired and closing your eyes—it’s a highly coordinated biological shift. The body must move from a state of alertness into a state of deep restoration, and that transition is controlled largely by two branches of your autonomic nervous system: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic.

Think of them as the body’s accelerator and brake. Both are essential. Both influence sleep. And both can work for—or against—you depending on your daily habits and stress levels.

In this post, we’ll break down what these systems do, how they interact during the sleep–wake cycle, and how you can support the parasympathetic system to promote deeper, more restorative rest.

If you’ve ever felt yourself relax instantly under a heavy blanket, enjoyed the grounding comfort of a tight hug, or noticed how infants settle when swaddled, you’ve experienced the calming benefits of deep pressure therapy (DPT). This gentle but firm touch-based technique has grown in popularity because of its powerful effect on the nervous system—and its ability to improve sleep.

From weighted blankets and compression garments to massage and firm hugging sensations, deep pressure therapy helps the brain shift into a calmer state that makes falling asleep and staying asleep easier. Here’s how it works, why it helps, and simple ways to incorporate it into your nightly routine.

It’s 2 p.m. Your morning coffee has worn off, your concentration is fading, and that wave of fatigue hits hard. The midday energy crash is one of the most common dips in productivity people experience—especially in the modern workday, where screens, stress, and sedentary habits dominate. But that afternoon slump isn’t inevitable. With a few lifestyle tweaks and science-backed strategies, you can keep your energy stable and your focus sharp from morning to night.

Sleep is one of the most powerful tools for physical health, emotional stability, and mental clarity—yet many of us treat it as an afterthought. If you’ve been waking up groggy, dragging through the day, or relying on caffeine to function, it might be time for a reset. That’s where the 30-Day Sleep Challenge comes in.

This simple, structured challenge is designed to help you build better sleep habits, understand your personal sleep needs, and create a bedtime routine that actually works. Ready to feel more rested, focused, and energized? Let’s dive in.

We’ve all been there: your alarm goes off, and you groggily reach over to hit “snooze”—just five more minutes. Maybe even ten. While it feels like a harmless habit (and a small mercy when you’re exhausted), regularly snoozing your alarm might be doing more harm than good to your sleep quality, energy, and overall health.

Here’s why snoozing might be sabotaging your mornings—and what to do instead.

Improving your sleep can feel overwhelming—there are so many habits to change, routines to build, and obstacles to overcome. That’s where SMART goals come in. Using this proven goal-setting framework can turn vague intentions like “I want to sleep better” into clear, actionable steps that lead to real results.

Here’s how you can use SMART goals to transform your sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.

In our busy, always-on world, getting more sleep can feel impossible. Yet, the quality of your sleep—the efficiency with which you fall asleep and stay asleep—often matters more than the total number of hours spent in bed. This is where efficient sleep comes in.

Efficient sleep means you spend most of your time in bed actually sleeping, rather than tossing, turning, or waking up frequently. Improving your sleep efficiency can lead to better rest, improved mood, sharper focus, and overall better health—even if you don’t increase your total sleep time.

Let’s explore what efficient sleep is, why it matters, and how you can improve it.

Being on call can significantly disrupt your sleep, making it challenging to get the rest you need to perform effectively and maintain your health. Whether you're a healthcare professional, IT specialist, or in any role requiring you to be available at all hours, managing sleep while on call is crucial. This blog post will provide practical tips and strategies to help you get good sleep even when you have to be ready to respond at a moment's notice.

As the calendar turns and a new year dawns, many of us are inspired to set resolutions aimed at enhancing our health, happiness, and overall well-being. While resolutions often focus on diet, exercise, or personal development, one area that deserves attention is sleep. Quality sleep is foundational to our health and vitality, yet it's often overlooked in our busy lives. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of making New Year's sleep resolutions and provide practical tips for crafting resolutions that prioritize restful nights and rejuvenating sleep.

Creating the perfect sleep environment is not just about finding the right mattress or setting the ideal room temperature; it also involves choosing the most comfortable sleepwear. The right sleep attire can enhance your overall sleep experience, promoting relaxation and ensuring a restful night. In this blog post, we'll explore the best sleepwear options that combine comfort, style, and functionality for a night of blissful sleep.