If you've been wondering how to sleep better, you're not alone. Sleep problems and insomnia are more common than ever, leaving many people stuck in a frustrating cycle: you're exhausted, you try harder to sleep, your mind races, and bedtime starts to feel like a test you can't pass.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Benjamin Long, a dual board-certified sleep medicine physician and pediatrician, to explore why insomnia has become so widespread—and what actually works when you can't fall asleep, can't stay asleep, or wake up with racing thoughts.

Together, we unpack the real causes of poor sleep in today's world, including our 24/7 culture, constant technology, circadian rhythm disruption, and chronic nervous system stress. Dr. Long explains why light is the most powerful regulator of your internal clock, why sleep hygiene alone often isn't enough for chronic insomnia, and how evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) can help you break the cycle.

We also explore sleep through the lens of faith. Dr. Long describes sleep as a gift from God and an act of embodied trust, drawing from Psalm 127 while challenging the hustle culture that keeps so many of us striving instead of resting. We discuss research connecting faith, meaning, and purpose with better sleep, while also acknowledging how fear, shame, or unhealthy beliefs can sometimes make sleep even more difficult.

Whether you're struggling with insomnia, chronic sleep deprivation, or simply looking for practical ways to sleep better, this conversation offers both scientific insight and biblical encouragement.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why insomnia has become so common
• The hidden factors disrupting your circadian rhythm
• Why your nervous system may be keeping you awake
• What CBT-I is and why it's considered the gold standard for treating insomnia
• Practical strategies you can use tonight to improve your sleep
• How scheduled "worry time" can become a meaningful prayer practice
• Why faith and trust can play an important role in healthy rest

If this episode encourages you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a better night's sleep. Your support helps more people discover healthier rhythms of rest.

Connect with Dr Long:

https://thewholeheartedmd.com/

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