Sleep is a core component of mental wellbeing, but many of us struggle to get enough. Whether you’re having trouble with your own sleep or navigating bedtime battles with your kids, Smiling Mind is e here to help you build lifelong sleep skills.
Sleep affects everything—from mood and memory to energy and emotional resilience. Poor sleep is a common challenge—whether it’s trouble falling asleep or waking in the night—which can leave us feeling foggy, flat, and disconnected.
Sleep is a vital part of mental fitness, helping our minds and bodies recharge so we can navigate the day with focus and calm. Better sleep starts long before our head hits the pillow, shaped by how we support ourselves emotionally and physically throughout the day and night.
Stress, overstimulation and emotional overwhelm can all affect the quality of our sleep, leaving us tired, frustrated, or anxious—something both kids and adults experience. With the right tools and a little practice, we can build healthier sleep habits to feel more energised, focused, and ready for the day.
Two in three Australians struggle with sleep¹—and for many, it’s an ongoing challenge. From racing thoughts to supporting restless kids, poor sleep can impact the whole family. When sleep isn’t easy, it can leave us feeling frustrated, tired, or sometimes leads to getting anxious about bedtime itself. But exploring what’s going on beneath the surface can help us to take small, effective steps forward.
The good news? With curiosity and the right tools, we can shift unhelpful patterns and bring some ease back to bedtime. Try this calming Sink into Sleep meditation to settle the body, soften tension, and meet restless thoughts with calm curiosity.
¹Sleep Health Foundation. Reawakening Australia: The economic cost of sleep disorders in Australia. 2011.
Sleep can be especially tough for parents and kids, and sometimes the more we focus on sleep, the harder it can be to get it.
Bedtime can be when worries surface, and for many children going to sleep can seem scary. Creating space for connection before bedtime can help parents promote a sense of calm and safety for their children to enhance sleep.
The Smiling Mind App offers families tools for emotional regulation and routine-building to help both adults and children rest well—anywhere, anytime. Try our Worry Box practice to help children explore concerns earlier in the day, making worries less likely to pop up at bedtime.
Creating a healthy bedtime routine helps children feel safe, calm and secure while supporting emotional regulation and resilience. We can empower kids to make recharging their bodies a part of daily life, the same way we support healthy habits like brushing their teeth and eating well.
Introducing gentle, consistent practices in the lead up to bed can support a smoother transition to sleep. Learn more from Smiling Mind’s Sleep Checklist for Kids, or try Golden Glow, a calming meditation designed to support young minds to relax and ease into sleep.
Try one of these top sleep tools and meditations in the free Smiling Mind App:
Soothing Sleep: Prepare for a good night’s sleep by settling your nervous system.
Thought Catcher: Practise catching thoughts to prepare for a good night’s sleep.
Simulate the Ocean: Settle into sleep with an ocean sounds meditation.
Aussie Sleep Sounds: An audio collection to help you rest, relax and recharge.
The free Smiling Mind App is packed with sleep tools for every age and stage—including guided meditations, calming music, soundscapes, sleep programs and routines to help you wind down and rest well.
Whether you’re building a new bedtime routine, supporting a restless child, or trying to fall asleep faster, you’ll find trusted, expert-led content to help make lasting changes for better sleep.
