The Wellbeing 5 Project
Dr. Sarah Silverman
Sleep Psychologist & Sleep Wellness Consultant
The Sleep Wellbeing 5
5 Simple Questions to help with physical wellbeing with answers from Experts, Thought Leaders, Campaigners & Advocates
Dr. Sarah Silverman
Dr. Sarah Silverman is a Stanford-trained Sleep Psychologist, insomnia expert and sleep wellness consultant. Her goal is to help people get better quality sleep by providing targeted, holistic sleep treatment that’s drug-free and personalized.
Dr. Sarah is an expert in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia (CBTi). She received her specialized training in Behavioral Sleep Medicine from the Stanford Sleep Medicine Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Sleep and Circadian Health Fellowship Program.
Dr. Sarah specializes in science-based, brief sleep therapies for a wide range of sleep problems, including insomnia, sleep apnea (CPAP help), narcolepsy/hypersomnia, and circadian rhythm disorders.
Find out more about Dr. Sarah here
The Sleep Wellbeing 5 with Dr. Sarah Silverman
1. What is your favourite quote, anecdote, proverb or experience that helps with physical wellbeing?
Dr. Sarah:
One of my favorite sleep quotes by the Dalai Lama is a classic one: “Sleep is the best meditation.” Sleep truly is the best way for our brains to refresh, recenter, and bring us back to the present moment. Sleep allows our brains to physically clear out toxins and mentally achieve a state of balance and calmness.
Another favorite sleep quote of mine is by one of the “founding fathers” of sleep medicine, Dr. William Dement. “You’re not healthy, unless your sleep is healthy.” Dr. Dement was instrumental in early sleep research on REM/dream sleep and a pioneer in the field of sleep medicine. I’ve always loved this quote because it’s direct and to the point; it posits that overall health is not optimal unless we are also sleeping well. Just as many of us try to prioritize good nutrition and physical activity as part of the pillars of health, we must prioritize our sleep. Quality sleep is crucial to our overall health and wellbeing.
2. What is your top piece of advice for physical wellbeing?
Dr. Sarah:
Get more sunlight! Morning light exposure is vital for regulating our body clock and optimizing our sleep-wake cycle. So many of us underestimate the power of the sun and its effects on improving our sleep quality (not to mention many other health benefits). Within the hour after waking, I recommend aiming for 15-20 minutes of direct sunshine. Even better if you can wake up at the same time every day and pair the sunlight with a brisk walk outside.
3. What is the one change in the world that you would like to see? (in your area of wellbeing or in the world in general or both)
Dr. Sarah:
I would love for more medical providers to ask their patients about sleep. Because there is a lack of sleep training in the medical field in general, sleep health isn’t typically brought up during traditional clinic appointments. I encourage anyone who is struggling with sleep (e.g., having problems falling and/or staying asleep, experiencing non-restful or non-restorative sleep, and/or waking up tired on a regular basis) to ask their doctor about treatment options. If that doesn’t yield a positive response, it’s time to seek out a sleep specialist. Because sleep health is a general predictor of overall mental and physical health, no one should suffer in silence. Sleep literally affects every single area of our health and wellness.
4. Which resources (books / websites / videos etc) for physical wellbeing would you recommend?
Dr. Sarah:
My favorite books:
- Quiet your mind and get to sleep
- Sleep wise
- Women’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia
- The insomnia workbook
- Sharing the covers
- End the insomnia struggle
*While there are many self-help books, online programs, courses, and great sleep tips out there, sometimes prioritizing and improving sleep health requires a personalized approach. Check out the AASM or the SBSM for a sleep specialist near you.
My favorite apps for sleep and/or breathing/relaxation:
- Headspace
- Calm
- Insight Timer
- Sattva
- 10% Happier
- CBTi Coach
- Mindfulness Coach
- Sleepio
My favorite podcasts:
- Sleep with Me
- Sleep Whispers
- Get Sleepy
I also love and use YouTube as a resource for guided sleep meditation/relaxation videos.
Online self-help sleep programs:
5. What’s the one thing that always makes you smile?
Dr. Sarah:
Waking up in the morning after a night of great quality, blissful, uninterrupted sleep. 😊 .
Further Exploration - Dr. Sarah Silverman
Website: Better Sleep FL
The Orlando Sleep Medicine Centre where Dr. Sarah provides a personalized and non-medication treatment approach for a wide variety of sleep concerns including chronic insomnia, chronic sleep medication/sleep aid use, difficulty using CPAP therapy for the treatment of sleep apnea due to anxiety, panic, and/or claustrophobia, circadian rhythm misalignment due to shift work, advanced sleep phase (early bird), or delayed sleep phase (night owl), chronic hypersomnia or narcolepsy, and chronic nightmares.
Mintleaf
Dr. Sarah's profile on Mintleaf where she discusses what working with her is like, what a typical session looks like and her experience working with clients that struggle to deal with their stress
Psychology Today
Dr. Sarah's profile on Psychology Today containing information about her, her specialities, client focus and her sleep treatment approaches
Social Media - Follow Dr. Sarah below
More Physical Wellbeing 5 Interviews Below
More Physical Wellbeing 5 Interviews
With answers from experts, thought leaders, advocates and campaigners to help with physical wellbeing