How can my health benefits help me get better sleep?
Waking up from a bad night’s sleep—or being stuck in the midst of a stretch of sleepless nights—feels awful. Not only does your mood take a tumble, but you might also have trouble concentrating or feel like your energy is zapped.
For better or worse, sleep affects nearly every system in your body. In fact, it’s one of the four core elements—a.k.a. ”the Core 4,” alongside hydration, nutrition, and exercise—that work together to contribute to a healthier you!
Over time, sleep struggles can lead to:
- Long-term brain fog
- An overactive “fight or flight” response, making it harder to relax
- Weakened immune system
On the flip side, getting enough sleep offers incredible benefits, including:
- Stronger immune system
- Improved heart health, metabolism, and mood
- Lower stress
If you’ve been struggling to catch the zzz’s you’ve been craving, we’re here to help you rest easy… pun intended.
Here’s how you can put your Cigna health benefits to use in pursuit of the perfect night’s sleep!
Add exercise
According to studies from John Hopkins Medicine, just 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a day—including walking, swimming, or going on a bike ride—can improve your sleep quality that same night.
(If you’re part of a Walkingspree challenge, even better! You’ll get double the benefits of hitting your step goal for the week, as well as setting yourself up for a better night’s sleep tonight.) If you prefer to work out at home, no problem! Find free Les Mills workout videos inside your Walkingspree app.
Talk it through
Having trouble sleeping because your brain “won’t turn off” is much more common than you think. Through your Cigna health plan, you have access to a wide range of options for therapy (online or in-person), all of which you can explore on our mental health page.
Check in with a check up
As part of your health plan, you’re eligible for two free blood chemistry panels per calendar year, as well as a no-cost preventive check-up. If you’re struggling with sleep, taking a look at your bloodwork—and reviewing the results with your primary care provider—is a great opportunity to explore potential underlying causes.
Pending on your health plan, you may also qualify for additional sleep support, including sleep studies. Log in to myCigna to explore your specific benefits any time!
What other questions can we answer for you?
From using your benefits, to using the Walkingspree app, we have the answers you need. Click here to send your question our way!
