Mastering Relaxation for Better Sleep

Sleep expert Dr. Aric Prather joins Matt today for a fascinating discussion about insomnia's frustrating reality: trying to force sleep backfires; sleep arrives naturally. Dr. Prather highlights a surprising starting point: forget focusing on bedtime, prioritize a consistent wake-up time, even weekends. Noting that this anchors your internal clock and builds essential sleep pressure (the 'balloon'), he also cautions that sleeping in after a bad night disrupts this cycle. 

After touching on societal factors impacting sleep, the conversation shifts to managing the mental side—the stress and anxiety creating that 'tired but wired' state. Dr. Prather shares practical techniques: daytime micro-breaks, breathing exercises, and scheduling worry time to keep thoughts from hijacking the night. Listeners learn how the bedroom can become a trigger for wakefulness and how stimulus control (getting out of bed when not sleeping) breaks that association. Finally, they cover Time-in-Bed Restriction: deliberately spending less time in bed can paradoxically consolidate sleep by intensifying sleep drive, building confidence. This episode offers tools not for nightly success, but for improving sleep on average and reducing panic over occasional bad nights.

Please note that Matt is not a medical doctor, and none of the content in this podcast should be considered medical advice in any way, shape, or form, nor prescriptive in any way.

One of our sponsors this week is the biochemical electrolyte drink company LMNT, and they are very kindly offering eight free sample packs when you purchase any one of their orders at drinklmnt.com/mattwalker. LMNT is an electrolyte sports drink that I can get behind - it's created from the basis of science, and it has no sugar, no coloring, and no artificial ingredients – all qualities that are so important to maintaining your blood biochemical balance. And now their new Lemonade Salt is squeezing onto the scene Tuesday, May 20th! This limited-time flavor is here to keep you at your best all summer long, and, just like summer, it’s here for a good time, not a long time, so stock up while supplies last! If you want to give Lemonade Salt or any of the fantastic LMNT flavors a try, just head on over to drinklmnt.com/mattwalker and get your free Sample Pack with your first purchase.

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As always, if you have thoughts or feedback you’d like to share, please reach out to Matt on Instagram.

Matt: Instagram @drmattwalker or on X @sleepdiplomat

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