Do you get a good night’s sleep? If not, you’re not alone. According to the National Sleep Foundation, almost one-third of Americans get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep each night. And that’s a problem because lack of sleep can lead to some serious health problems. In this blog post, I will discuss and give you 9 tips for getting a better night’s sleep.
9 Tips for better sleep
- Stick to a Sleep Schedule: Go to bed and Get up at the same time every day, even on weekends, holidays and days off. Being consistent reinforces your body’s sleep-wake cycle and helps promote better sleep at night.
- Don’t go to Bed either Hungry or Stuffed: Your discomfort might keep you up. Also limit how much you drink before bed, to prevent disruptive middle-of-the-night trips to the toilet.
- Have a Bedtime Ritual: Do the same things each night to tell your body it’s time to wind down. Relaxing activities can promote better sleep by easing the transition between wakefulness and drowsiness.
- Make Your Bedroom a Cool, Dark, and Quiet Place: Create a room that’s ideal for sleeping. This means cool, dark and quiet. Consider using room-darkening shades, earplugs, and set your thermostat at somewhere around 65° degrees.
- Engage in Regular Exercise: Regular exercise can promote better sleep, helping you to fall asleep faster and to enjoy deeper sleep.
- Manage Stress: When you have too much to do and too much to think about your brain may have a hard time shutting down. Try relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, music and deep breathing exercises.
- Turn off the Computer, Phone and Television (all blue light technology): Be wary of using the TV or other electronic devices as part of your bedtime ritual. Some research suggests that screen time or other media use before bedtime interferes with sleep.
- Reduce Caffeine Intake: The stimulating effects of caffeine take hours to wear off and can wreak havoc on quality sleep.
- Invest in a Comfortable Pillow and Mattress: Your mattress and pillow can contribute to better sleep, too. Since the features of good bedding are subjective, choose what feels most comfortable to you.
Following these tips can help improve your sleep and reduce your risk of health problems linked to lack of sleep, such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. So take the time to make sleep a priority and you’ll be glad you did!
Good luck and sweet dreams!
**Note: This content is for informational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health or wellbeing, please consult a medical professional.**
