Sleep

Are you having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? Are you tired during the day? Community Wellness can help you learn relaxation techniques and other methods for sleeping more and sleeping better. 

Benefits of sleep

Adequate sleep is associated with better health in many ways, including:

• Enhanced memory, learning, and academic performance
• Better appetite regulation and metabolic health
• Improved heart health
• Better immune system function

Talk with your PCP

Speak with your primary care provider (PCP) to discuss any medical issues that may be causing your sleep problems. 

For students:

Talk with a clinician in Student Mental Health and Counseling

A clinician in MIT Medical’s Student Mental Health and Counseling Services may be able to help you deal with feelings of stress or anxiety that may be interfering with your sleep. Call 617-253-2916.

For faculty, staff, postdocs, and their families:

Talk with a sleep Counselor through MyLife Services

MyLife Services, an Employee Assistance Program for the MIT community, offers sleep coaching from master’s or Ph.D.-level professionals. They can also provide resources or offer a referral to a mental health counselor in your area. 

Additional resources

Sleep 101
Learn to sleep smarter with this online course sponsored by Community Wellness and available in the MIT Atlas Learning Center (MIT Touchstone account required). Sleep 101 is an award-winning sleep health education program. While it focuses on college student sleep, it is applicable to anyone. Sleep 101 provides a comprehensive overview of sleep as it connects to health, safety (including lab safety), and performance. The full program—which includes videos, interactive activities, and games—takes 45 minutes to complete, but individual health topics can be viewed separately.

Find more sleep resources, including audio downloads, tools for new parents, printable guides, and more.

Choosing a sleep app

Several sleep apps offer research-based techniques. Those with empirical support and good user ratings include:

• CBT-i Coach: Free
• Insomnia Coach: Free