Articles

Sleep Week

I love sharing good health and wellness material on our We R Native page and social media channels, so in lieu of National Sleep Week, I want to do something different and fun. I want to invite you into my space and take you on a little journey with me to track my sleeping patterns.

What is that you ask? Before I dive in to specifics, let’s go over the “why” piece. Unlike top heavy topics that affect Indian country such as diabetes, obesity, suicide, etc. sleep is not really a hot topic that is discussed when it comes to overall health. But, it is an important factor and contributor when it comes to those heavier health issues.

Sleep is the essential part of our overall health and well-being. Sleep is food for the brain, and it’s as important as the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the food you eat. It also gives your body a chance to recharge and get ready for each day.

So what are some things you can do if you are struggling to get a good night’s rest? It might be a good idea to keep a sleep journal to help keep track of when your sleepless cycles occur. This might shed light on why you have trouble staying asleep. For instance, maybe it happens around exam time, sporting events, when you don’t exercise as much as you normally do, or when you stay up late playing video games or are on a devise. You’re the expert on how you’re feeling, so it’s a good idea to really tune into this.

Sooooo, back to this little journey, I will show you my sleeping track from my Fitbit charge 2. On this journey I will show you what works for me to get a good nights rest, and I will also try out some new and recommended healthy habits for sleeping!

Trust me, I know it isn’t easy. I’ve been there, all through high school, during my undergraduate at the University of New Mexico (Go Lobos!), and as an adult now. Those sleepless nights, crappy mattresses, all-nighters, insomnia, stress, loud neighbors, sharing scary stories with your cousins, work schedules, etc. All these different reasons then trying to go to practice, or going to your 8 AM class, running on little hours or minutes of sleep. I had a job where my shift would end around 11 PM, get home do some homework/read, then I finally get to bed and fall asleep around 2 AM. Then I have a 9 AM class the next day, so that meant waking up at 7:30 to get ready and drive to campus. I also noticed with today’s times I’m carrying around new habits, such as going to bed with my phone, pinning things on Pinterest, trying out snapchat filters, watching YouTube tutorials and cruising through Facebook and Instagram.

Before I start my journey to fitness, here are some prior views of my “sleeping tracker.” The sleep recommendation for young adults is 7-9 hours of sleep each day to feel your best! So, my goal has been set at a reasonable time, 8 hours 15 minutes of sleep. I have a target sleeping schedule, bedtime by 10:25 PM and wake up time by 7:00 AM.

The time begins when I went to sleep and ending time is when I woke up. The little hashes show areas when I “tossed/turned.” The green stars indicate I met my goal. This is a little preview of how this journey will work.

Just so you know, all sleeping patterns are different for each person. It depends on your age, etc. So what I show you on mine, may or may not work out for you. But! Don’t feel discouraged, keep working on what makes sense for YOU! 🙂

Anyway, I’ll be wearing my Fitbit to sleep all this week. Tune in back here on Saturday April 29 to see the results and health habits that worked for me.

 

-Celena McCray is a member of the Navajo Nation (Dine). She’s from a small rural community called Becenti, New Mexico which is located on the Eastern part of the Navajo Reservation. Celena is the suicide prevention project coordinator for THRIVE (Tribal Health: Reaching out InVolves Everyone), and also helps with We R Native!

 

 

 Learn more at:

How to Get a Job in High School

Do you need to find a job? Are you unsure of where...

How to Accept Change

Sometimes, change can be sudden and difficult to cope with. Other times,...

Seven Generations

Young American Indian men, especially in the Northern Plains, face a greater...

How to Date Yourself

Dating can be hard, especially if you don’t know what you are...

How to Request Accommodations at School

Accommodations are adjustments that help support people with disabilities. There are many...

Anatomy: Assigned Sex at Birth (Male)

How to Practice Mindfulness

Life is busy From school to sports to work, it often feels...

How to Deal with a Breakup

There is not one way to magically get over a breakup completely...

Anatomy: Assigned Sex at Birth (Female)

Your College Survival Guide

Ahh, college! It’s an exciting time for self-exploration, meeting new people, and...

How to Succeed in Your Career

Career success is important because your career impacts many aspects of your...

Does Breast Size Really Matter?

Indigenous Coming of Age Movies and Shows You NEED to Watch

Coming-of-age movies and shows can help us better understand and navigate the...

18 Things You Should Know How to Do Before You Turn 18

Turning 18 is an important event, marking our transition into adulthood. However,...

I Strengthen My Nation: Sierra

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in partnership with We R...

Self-Advocacy Tips for Youth with Disabilities

Self-advocacy, or speaking up for yourself and your needs, can make your...

Does Size Really Matter?

As a teenager, we’re all consumed with similar worries. From wanting to...

I Strengthen My Nation: Caitlin

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in partnership with We R...

Preparing for Your Driver’s Test

Getting your driver’s license is an exciting and life-changing experience! There is...

How to Help a Friend Who Drank Too Much

Being around a friend who drank too much can be scary, especially...

Sexual Orientation: A Spectrum Of Attraction

How to Face Your Bully When You Go Back to School

Going back to school after a break, whether summer or Christmas, can...

Establishing Healthy Boundaries with Family

Family relationships can be beautiful but tricky to navigate at times. Learning...

Sex Assigned at Birth and Gender Identity: What Is The Difference?

Ways to Help a Friend Who is Being Bullied

Bullying is never fun or funny, especially when it’s happening to a...

Stocking Your Pantry: A Guide to Pantry Necessities

Whether you’re new to cooking or just moved into your own place,...

Sexual Orientations Explained: Lesbian, Gay, Heterosexual and Bisexual

Financial Aid – Getting Money for College

Going to college can be expensive, but financial aid and scholarships can...

What Does Disability Really Mean?

How Do You Define Disability? “Disability” can mean different things to different...

Becoming Jane Doe

Alara, an Athabaskan and Tlingit transwoman, found her gender identity through drag....

Heads Up: Sex Must Start with Consent

The idea of having sex can be both exciting and nerve-wracking! You...

How to Swap in Healthier Foods for Junk Food

With our busy schedules, from school to sports to work, it can...

There’s Heart Here

Roller derby champion. Activist. Cyclist. Follow three indigenous members of the Two...

How to Access Free or Low-Cost Birth Control

When it comes to birth control, there are many different options available...

My Abortion Story

Acknowledgment: We R Native would like to thank the author for sharing...

Saying Yes or No: What Is Consent?

Tips for Teens with Diabetes

Diabetes can happen to anyone at any age.   Type 1 diabetes (T1D)...

How to Stay Safe from COVID-19

Going to school in person can be super fun. You get to...

Consent And Communication

How to Protect Yourself from the Flu

The fall season is an exciting time! There are fun activities to...

What is Roe v. Wade?

You might have heard about Roe v. Wade being “overturned.” This article...

Consent Explained: What Is It?

How To Prepare for Your First Date

First dates can be both exciting and nerve-racking, whether it’s your first...

HPV Vaccine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections...

Top Signs Boys are in Puberty

Real Talk About Sexual Pleasure

Sexual pleasure comes from understanding how your body works and what feels...

Thinking About Having Sex

It’s important that you think through your decision to have sex with...

Top Signs Girls are in Puberty

Wait what?! That’s what you do with lube?

A little-known fact is that lube can be a real game-changer when...

Sex 101

People define “sex” in different ways. The dictionary defines it as “sexually...

Taking Care of Your Body During Puberty

Oral Sex

Oral sex is using one’s mouth to stimulate a partner’s genitals. Just...

Protecting Yourself During Oral Sex

It is possible to get HIV and other STDs during oral sex...

Puberty: What Is Doctor Confidentiality?

Protecting Yourself During Anal Sex

Anal sex involves inserting one partner’۪s penis into another partner’۪s anus. It...

Protecting Yourself During Vaginal Sex

Vaginal sex happens when a partner’s penis is inserted into another partner’s...

Accessing Sexual Health Care for Minors

Withdrawal – Pulling Out

Withdrawal is when the man pulls his penis out of the vagina...

The Real Story about Dental Dams

Giving and receiving oral sex can be fun and feel good. But...

Bodies: Different Shapes and Sizes. All Beautiful!

Internal Condom Instructions

***Remember to always check the expiration date and package of any condom...

How to Use an External (Male) Condom

If you choose to have sex, condoms can protect you and your...

Does Penis Size Really Matter?

Top 10 Sex Myths

MYTH #10: If I use birth control, I don’t need to worry...

I Don’t Have Health Insurance – Now What?

There are plenty of reasons why you might not have health insurance....

Menstruation: What To Expect

Take Notes: How to Not Misgender Your New Friend Crush

Understanding Pronouns & Misgendering Misgendering is when you refer to someone using...

Tips for Saving

So, you’re thinking about getting that car you’ve been eyeing, or you...

Period Hygiene: Tampons, Pads and Menstrual Cups

How to Stay Safe When Traveling

Whether you’re going somewhere a couple of hours away or outside the...

History of the Sterilization of Native Women

It is no secret that the federal government has tried for centuries...

How the Boner Grows

How to Use Ride Sharing Services Safely

Rideshare services, like Uber and Lyft, are good options when walking or...

Getting a Career in STEM

The fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (or STEM) are incredibly...

All About Getting Your Period

Condom Shopping Guide

Get the facts!

How to Stay Connected with Old Friends

A major part of growing up is experiencing new things in life....

Masturbation: Totally Normal

Opening a Bank Account

Are you starting your first job? Going to college soon? Or just...

Safer Chest Compression Brands

New to chest binding or been doing it for years? The retailers...

Puberty and Finding Out Who You Are

Chest Binding 101

Chest binding is a way to create a flatter chest using undergarments...

Healthy Habits for Chest Bindings

Whether you’re new to chest binding or have been doing it for...

The Plants of Your Place

Establishing Healthy Boundaries with Your Significant Other

Whether you’re at the start of a new relationship or in the...

Why Medical Racism = Genocide

Racism is real. It influences all aspects of our lives, including whose...

Culture is Prevention

What I Love About My Indigenous Features

As an Indigenous adult, I want to do everything I can to...

How to Study Effectively

When you think of studying, you might feel a sense of dread....

Culture is Prevention – Sarah

Best Studying Hacks

For many of us studying is on the top of our to-do...

Being a Strong Indigenous Leader

Indigenous leadership is a hot topic these days. The truth is that...

BRAVE: Episode 7

Our Stories Connect Us to Place and People

Indigenous people have always been some of the best storytellers, and recently...

6 Anthems by Queer and Two-Spirit Indigenous Artists to Pump You Up

Music is powerful medicine – especially when it’s coming from people who...

BRAVE: Episode 6

Humor is Sexy (Sometimes)

There are many qualities that can make someone sexy or attractive. Physical...

Real Talk About Getting What You Need From Your Boo

In a healthy relationship, we should be appreciated, listened to, and have...

BRAVE: Episode 5

Level Up Your Self-Love Game

We’ve all heard the phrase “love yourself.” But, what does loving yourself...

Environmental Change and Our Mental Health

As Indigenous people, we know that connecting to our land is connecting...

Brave: Episode 4

When and How to Quit a Job

If you have a job, you’ve probably dreaded going in at least...

Types of Abortion

Abortion is a safe and effective medical procedure that ends a pregnancy.  ...

BRAVE: Episode 3

Tips for Forming Deeper Relationships

Relationships, whether they are romantic or platonic, impact our daily lives.  This...

What I Love About My Body

When I was a teenager there was little to no information about...

BRAVE: Episode 2

Who is Deer Woman from Reservation Dogs?

In “Come and Get Your Love” (Season 1, Episode 5) of the...

Staying Balanced in College

Keeping a healthy balance between life, school, and work is what everyone...

BRAVE: Episode 1

Talking to Your Partner About Protection

The thought of talking to a partner about sex makes a lot...

Abstinence

Abstinence means not having sex (that means NO vaginal, oral, or anal...

Sunhawk / Managing Stress

Condoms 101

If you are having sex, condoms are the only method that provides...

Emergency Contraception: The Morning After Pill

Emergency contraception is a special type of oral contraceptive that can be...

Olivia / Keeping It All Inside

Dual Method

Many people, who have vagina-penis sex, use dual protection. Dual protection means:...

The Shot – Depo

The Shot, or Depo- Provera®, contains a large dose of a progestin...

Nadira / Reaching Out for Help at College

Pill, Patch or Ring

What is it and how does it work to prevent pregnancy? Hormones...

Sponge

The Sponge is a soft plastic (polyurethane) sponge that is worn in...

Maiya / Dealing with Anxiety Attacks

Fertility Awareness: Rhythm Method

How does it work to prevent pregnancy? A woman identifies the days...

Sterilization

For women sterilization includes a surgical procedure that permanently blocks her fallopian...

Kennedy / Seeing Kindness

6 Tips for Applying for Scholarships

Applying to scholarships for college, graduate school, or even summer programs can...

How Dancing can Teach you to Love your Body

When it comes to our bodies, dancing can provide confidence and a...

Kaytlynn / Combatting Stressors

Using Culture to Cope with COVID

COVID has brought more than just physical illness to our communities. It’s...

Weird (but normal) Body Facts

Our bodies are amazing and house many secrets! Are you curious to...

Jowun / Self-Care For Me

6 Questions to Help You Find the Right Birth Control for You

Are you curious about what birth control options are out there? Here...

How to Navigate Health Insurance

Medical visits and procedures, like x-rays, can be expensive. That is why...

Isis / School Stressors

PSA This Relationship Advice is Actually Genius

Relationships – whether they are with our family members, friends, or significant...

How to Stay Safe on Social Media

Like many things in life, social media can be used for good...

Aurora / Connection

How to Pick the Right College For You

Deciding to go to college is a big decision and one that...

How to Lease Your First Apartment

6 Tips for Renting Your First Apartment  On the lookout for your...

Ashley / Self-Care Looks Different For Everyone

Connecting to Our Land is Connecting to Our Culture

Our relationship with the land is a huge part of our culture...

How to Expand Your Networks

Have you ever heard the saying, “It doesn’t matter what you know,...

#Indigilove Recap Video

Native Women Just Can’t Anymore

Sex can be fun and empowering. However, some of us – especially...

What’s PrEP

PrEP makes preventing HIV easy. But, what is PrEP, and who is...

Siletz DVPI PSA

How to Make Peace With Your Body

Just like plants need sunshine, nutrients, water, and connection to other beings...

Shutting Down Slut Shamers

Enjoying sex or openly expressing your sexuality doesn’t make you a “slut.”...

MMIWG (Murdered Missing Indigenous Women and Girls)

Is vaping good for a 12 year old?

Find Us

Follow Us

Enter Phone Number to Subscribe:

Msg & Data Rates May Apply.
Text STOP to opt out. No purchase necessary.
Expect 4 msgs/mo.Terms and Conditions

Menu