Life is busy. Could it get any busier? Yes. But can you have enough sleep every day? Yes as well. Today’s active and bustling society may not rest, but you can. In fact, getting enough and good quality sleep has to be given more emphasis these days since getting busy is starting to be a norm.
Sleep is just as important as good nutrition and exercise. One can never truly call himself or herself healthy without any one of these three. Sleeping can actually lead to a healthy life. If you are having a hard time falling asleep or getting a good sleep, these tips will help you out.
Shut off the noise.
You may not recall the racket caused by yesterday’s midnight garbage pickup, but your body probably does. Even if you don’t wake up, noise can disrupt your slumber and cause restlessness, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and changes in breathing patterns…
(Via: https://www.health.com/sleep/advice-for-better-sleep?slide=525773#525773)
Have some aromatherapy.
Creating a bedtime ritual that includes diffusing (a process of dispersing) essential oils 30 minutes before sacking out is a simple and effective way to cue the body to rest, says Sara Panton, essential-oil expert and cofounder of Vitruvi. Not only are there certain scents that encourage drowsiness, but the very act of setting up a routine helps signal to your brain that it’s time to start shutting off.
(Via: https://www.health.com/sleep/advice-for-better-sleep?slide=525767#525767)
Be cool. Literally.
Body temperature regularly fluctuates throughout the day—it’s usually at its highest in the afternoon and lowest in the early a.m. So if your room is hot, your body will work all night to cool down—and if you’re sweating, you’re more likely to wake up. The sweet spot: 65 degrees, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
(Via: https://www.health.com/sleep/advice-for-better-sleep?slide=525770#525770)
Give your space a room to breathe. Exercise caution though. You might not want to open your windows for too long especially if there are insects and creepy crawlies that want to join you inside.
Room stuffiness can hike nasal congestion and hinder your ability to breathe while you doze. Per a study in the journal Indoor Air, people who kept their window open overnight felt more alert the next morning than they did when it had been kept closed. If you live in a city and opening your window exposes you to noise, crack it open for 15 minutes during the day instead. No windows? No problem. Invest in a plant like a peace lily, which naturally purifies air.
(Via: https://www.health.com/sleep/advice-for-better-sleep?slide=525782#525782)
Make the room darker earlier.
Not only does light send “stay awake” alerts to the brain, it also has an effect on circadian rhythm, which controls your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, explains Lawrence Epstein, MD, assistant medical director of Brigham Sleep Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Brightness also stops the production of melatonin (the tired hormone), suppressing your sleep signal. While you likely kill the lights before you get in bed, you actually need to dim them much sooner. Switch from overhead lights to lamps around dinnertime to help your body wind down.
(Via: https://www.health.com/sleep/advice-for-better-sleep?slide=525788#525788)
Say no to chocolate. They can be like coffee.
Whether it’s ice cream, brownies, cookies, or candy—all cocoa contains caffeine. Which means your nightly choco habit could be costing you precious z’s. If you want to indulge your sweet tooth, consider yogurt (high in muscle-relaxing magnesium) topped with fresh cherries (which contain melatonin).
(Via: https://www.health.com/sleep/advice-for-better-sleep?slide=525791#525791)
If you think alcohol is a good precursor to sleep, think again.
Alcohol is a double-edged sword. Yes, that nightcap might initially help you doze off, but don’t be fooled—it reduces sleep quality, explains Dr. Epstein. That’s because while booze is linked to increasing certain sleepy feelings, it also causes you to wake up repeatedly, interfering with restorative sleep. Instead of pouring yourself a glass right before you hit the hay, take your last sips two hours earlier.
(Via:https://www.health.com/sleep/advice-for-better-sleep?slide=525797#525797)
Sleep can now be easier to achieve. If you have trouble with sleeping due to snoring, visit https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/good-morning-snore-solution to find a solution. Check this site as well for more details.
