> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://knowledge.theholisticcare.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://knowledge.theholisticcare.com/knowledge/research-and-evidence/mindfulness-and-sleep.md). # Mindfulness and Sleep A careful overview of mindfulness and sleep evidence, including where clinical guidance remains uncertain. Mindfulness is often used as part of a bedtime or relaxation routine, but the evidence for treating clinical insomnia is not straightforward. The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that some studies have reported improvements in sleep quality, while clinical guidelines have also concluded that evidence is insufficient to recommend mindfulness by itself as a treatment for insomnia. [Read NCCIH: Sleep Disorders and Complementary Health Approaches](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/sleep-disorders-and-complementary-health-approaches) NCCIH's broader mindfulness overview also describes evidence that mindfulness meditation may improve sleep quality compared with some education-based controls, while not necessarily outperforming established approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy. [Read NCCIH: Meditation and Mindfulness](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-and-mindfulness-effectiveness-and-safety) ## THC interpretation Sleep-oriented mindfulness is best positioned as support for settling and rest. Useful practices may include: * body scans * natural breath awareness * Yoga Nidra-style relaxation * guided imagery * non-striving attention Persistent insomnia deserves appropriate assessment. Mindfulness should not delay evidence-based sleep care. ## Related guidance * [Research & Evidence](https://knowledge.theholisticcare.com/knowledge/research-and-evidence) * [Mindfulness and Anxiety](https://knowledge.theholisticcare.com/knowledge/research-and-evidence/mindfulness-and-anxiety) * [Using the THC Research Hub](https://knowledge.theholisticcare.com/knowledge/research-and-evidence/using-the-thc-research-hub) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://knowledge.theholisticcare.com/knowledge/research-and-evidence/mindfulness-and-sleep.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.