December is one of the busiest months of year, and usually filled with social commitments that make it easy for self-care to go by the wayside. All of this makes December the perfect month to renew our commitment to self-care.

A centerpiece of good self-care is a good night’s sleep. Research into sleep informs us that sleep is necessary for proper brain functioning and emotional regulation. Knowing how much sleep we need is a big step toward getting enough sleep.

To know how much sleep you need, try sleeping for different amounts of time and reflecting on how you feel after each night’s sleep. How much sleep we need varies from person to person and is often more about the quality of sleep than the number of hours slept.

One of the ways we can improve our quality of sleep is by turning off our electronics 30 minutes before bed and, instead of engaging in online activities, doing something else, such as listening to soothing music, reading a book, writing in a journal, or taking a bath. By unplugging before bed, we allow our brain to become less active and ready for sleep. Relaxing before bedtime improves sleep quality, which improves brain functioning. A good night’s sleep is an excellent way to maintain good self-care and will help in becoming centered.