Ever wondered why your mind keeps racing when you just want a good night's sleep? In this episode of Seek Go Create, Dr. Benjamin Long, a board-certified sleep medicine physician, joins Tim Winders to dive into the spiritual and practical roots of our sleepless nights. They explore the connections between faith, behavior, and rest, discuss the myths and realities around sleep health, and reveal how your spiritual alignment might impact how well you sleep. If you're tired of restless nights or simply curious how theology and medicine intersect in the most practical way—rest—this episode is for you.

"Sleep is a gift from God—something we can receive, not just a problem to fix." - Dr. Benjamin Long

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About Our Guest:

Dr. Benjamin Long is a board-certified sleep medicine physician who treats patients of all ages and specializes in the intersection of faith and medicine. With a background in pediatrics and a journey through both medical and theological training, he explores practical sleep habits, spiritual practices, and fatigue mitigation for everyone from medical professionals to everyday believers. As an author, Dr. Benjamin Long offers insights rooted in both clinical expertise and deep spiritual understanding, helping others find rest and purpose in the midst of today’s sleep-deprived culture.

Reasons to Listen:

1. Discover the surprising connection between faith, medicine, and sleep—and why Dr. Benjamin Long believes spiritual practices can be as crucial as sleep hygiene for true rest.
2. Hear practical, research-backed advice on optimizing your sleep (from wearable tracking to the truth about fancy mattresses) and why most sleep disruptions start with your own thoughts and behaviors.
3. Unpack fresh insights into America's sleep deprivation crisis, including how our digital habits and culture might be quietly sabotaging rest—and what you can do differently tonight.

Episode Resources & Action Steps:

Resources Mentioned

1. Sleep Habits Journal: Book by Dr. Benjamin Long. Release date is December 9th. Order your copy: sleephabitsjournal.com
2. Jordan Raynor’s Books: Especially highlighted is The Sacredness of Secular Work, which explores faith and vocation integration.

1. Track Your Sleep Patterns: Use a sleep tracker or simply keep a pen-and-paper journal to monitor your average sleep, bedtime routines, and sleep quality over time.
2. Experiment to Find Your Optimal Sleep Environment: Test sleep conditions—such as room temperature, mattress firmness, and bedtime routines—to see what works best for you, rather than focusing on “industry standards.”
3. Use Sleepless Nights as Time to Connect with God: When you’re unable to sleep, consider rising from bed and engaging in prayer, reflection, or peaceful spiritual practices as suggested by Dr. Benjamin Long instead of just tossing and turning.

Key Lessons:

1. Sleep Deprivation Is Widespread—And Deeper Than Just Biology: Dr. Benjamin Long explained that despite all our modern comforts, the U.S. remains a sleep-deprived culture. He emphasized that sleep issues often have roots in our behaviors and thoughts, not just physical factors, suggesting we look beyond gadgets and mattresses to address underlying causes.
2. Faith and Spirituality Can Impact Sleep: Both Tim Winders and Dr. Benjamin Long discussed how sleeplessness is not only a medical issue, but can also be a spiritual one. Connecting faith, prayer, and trust in God can bring peace in the midst of insomnia or restless nights, offering a deeper approach to sleep challenges.
3. Personal Sleep Patterns Matter—There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Solution: Dr. Benjamin Long encouraged listeners to track their own sleep, recognize their unique needs, and adjust habits accordingly. Success isn’t about hitting a magic number of hours, but about understanding what works for your body, even if it’s different than societal expectations.
4. Chasing Sleep With Products Isn’t the Answer: The sleep industry offers countless gadgets and supplements, but Dr. Benjamin Long stressed that true rest comes from examining our thoughts and habits—not from buying new pillows or weighted blankets. Addressing the root causes of sleep disruption is more effective than seeking quick fixes.
5. Sleep Can Be an Act of Trust and Spiritual Rest: Drawing from scripture, Dr. Benjamin Long suggested that sleep is a gift from God—a chance to demonstrate trust and surrender, especially when feeling out of control or anxious. Embracing rest as a spiritual practice can transform sleepless nights into moments of connection and peace.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction to Sleep Disruption

00:28 Meet Dr. Benjamin Long

02:50 Journey into Sleep Medicine

05:10 Sleep Deprivation in Modern Society

12:09 The Intersection of Faith and Medicine

14:44 Balancing Faith and Medical Practice

18:24 The Evolution of Sleep Medicine

30:46 Experimenting with Sleep Patterns

31:09 Impact of Environment on Sleep Quality

31:49 Finding the Right Mattress and Sleep Position

32:42 Tracking Sleep and Understanding Your Needs

34:26 The Business of Sleep

44:22 The Role of Circadian Rhythm

49:27 Spiritual Aspects of Sleep

55:53 Introducing the Sleep Habits Journal

01:01:17 Encouragement for the Sleep-Deprived

Resources for Leaders from Tim Winders & SGC:

🎙 Unlock Leadership Excellence with Tim

• Transform your leadership and align your career with your deepest values. Schedule your Free Discovery Call now to explore how you can reach new heights in personal and professional growth. Limited slots available each month – Book your session today!

• Challenge your perceptions and embark on a journey toward true fulfillment. Dive into transformative insights with "Coach: A Story of Success Redefined." This book will help you rethink what success means and how to achieve it on your terms. Don't miss out on this essential read—order your copy today!

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