Without sleep our body can experience a variety of negative effects. This includes issues with memory, mood changes, weakened immunity and many others. While we all are aware of the importance of sleep, not as many of us are getting the amount of sleep we should be.
This could be due to insomnia or another sleep disorder, or another thing entirely. Thankfully, however, you aren’t doomed to have poor sleep for the rest of time. With that in mind, let’s go over some great hints and tips for having a better rest during the night.
1. Get a Better Mattress
The first aspect to think about is your mattress. You want a mattress that not only provides great comfort, but all of the support that your body needs, as well. Everyone has a choice for what their favorite kind of mattress is. In general, it can have a lot to do with your sleeping style or position. Firm mattresses are a good option for those who sleep on their back, while side sleepers will often appreciate a softer option.
2. Keep a Consistent Sleep Schedule
When you sleep and wake at the same time, it can do wonders for the quality of your sleep. Our bodies have a natural sleep/wake cycle, and the better you can stay in line with that, the better your body will be at knowing when it should be sleeping and when it should be awake. But if you are always going to bed and waking up at different times, it can be very confusing for your body. This confusion can make it hard to fall asleep and keep sleep from being as restful as it should be.
3. Avoid Screens Before Bed
Most of us are interacting with screens for almost the entirety of our waking hours. This can be at work, at school or even at home when we are entertaining ourselves. But to save your sleep, avoid these screens for at least an hour before bed. The bright lights from the screens can keep us awake and stop our body from naturally preparing to go to sleep.
4. Wind Down in the Evening
One of the best things to ensure a better sleep is to wind down in the evening. If you try to go to sleep right after a busy day at the office, after a workout or right after a scary movie, it will be difficult. The more relaxed and calm you are, the easier it will be for your body to transition into sleep. So take some time to have a bath, read a book, meditate or do some yoga before bed, and you will often find it easier to get and stay asleep.
5. Optimize Your Sleeping Environment
The quality of your sleep environment may also come into play. Most of us sleep better in rooms that are dark and quiet. If there are street lights right outside your home, or the neighbor has a loud dog, do all you can to make the room as comfortable as possible. Also, it is a good idea to keep your bedroom relatively cool, as it can be hard to sleep when it is too warm.
6. Watch What You Eat and Drink
Before bed, you need to be careful with what you consume. While some foods and drinks are fine before bed, you need to know what to watch out for. Of course, you want to avoid coffee and other caffeine-heavy items before bed, as they can often keep you up for hours. Things like overly fatty foods, foods too high in protein and spicy foods should also be avoided.
Getting a good night of sleep isn’t always easy, but by using these six hints, you can certainly improve the overall quality of your rest.
Article Submitted By Community Writer