Have you ever felt tired… even after 8 hours of sleep?

I have. Many times.

And honestly? I thought I was broken.

I used to count my sleep like calories:

✔️ Slept 7.5 hours = ✅

✔️ Slept before midnight = ✅

Still woke up feeling like a 🧟‍♀️ caffeine-dependent ghost.

That’s when it hit me—sleep isn’t just about hours.

It’s about how you sleep.

The rhythm, the routine, the environment.

And most importantly: whether your mind feels safe enough to actually rest.

Think about it.

Have you ever:

Slept but had dreams louder than your 9-to-5?

Slept in a new place and woke up 10 times?

Slept after doom-scrolling and woke up in a mood?

As an Occupational Therapist, I’ve come to see sleep as an occupation —a daily activity that needs to be protected, nurtured, and reclaimed.

It’s not “just sleep.” It’s your nervous system saying:

> “Hey, I need time to process life. Can you make space for me?”

What helped me:

🌙 Creating a simple night routine

📵 Giving my brain a break from screens

🧠 Understanding that rest is not a reward. It’s a right.

If you're someone who sleeps, but doesn’t rest … this post is your sign.

🛏️ Let’s stop glorifying burnout and start romanticizing bedtime.

Because a well-rested brain is a powerful one.

SYNERGY