The Wind Down: Sleep Doctor Nishi Bhopal, MD

I’m a sleep medicine doctor, but as a child I was always more sleepy and tired than my peers. I loved books and stayed up late reading my favorite shows (nowadays that would be called bedtime delays!). This always made me very sleepy in the afternoons, and I got into the habit of taking naps after school. In high school and college, I had a really hard time getting up for class and going to bed on time. Looking back now, I understand that I have delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS), a circadian rhythm disorder that makes you want to go to sleep later and wake up later than society usually dictates.

Medical school and residency were even more challenging due to the early morning hours, demanding work schedules and irregular hours. My personal challenges with sleep quality contributed to my interest in a career in sleep medicine.

I am currently sleeping well and know what I need to do to stay on track and improve my sleep quality. I usually sleep best when I get bright light in the morning, stay active during the day, and take time to unwind in the evening. Simple things make a big impact and I teach these steps to my patients in my practice and in my online holistic sleep course.

My biggest barriers to sleep are not being able to stick to a set schedule, not getting enough exercise during the day, or working late on my laptop at night. If I don’t take time off, I might get back to work, check email, or scroll social media… and I definitely don’t sleep as well when I do that.

Rest is the basis of all activity and restful sleep allows me to function with vitality. It gives me the energy and motivation to focus on the things that make sense to me, supports me to overcome any challenges that may come my way, and allows me to be fully present with the people around me feel.