…For nothing is sweeter than a good night’s slumber.
We devote a large chunk of our lives to sleep. Around 200,000 hours of it in the first 60 years of our lifespan, in fact. So, we’d better hope it’s of quality.
If you often feel grumpy or exhausted after a night of tossing and turning, here are 14 easy things you can do to help you get a solid sleep—every night.
Hello, Sweet Dreams.
- Aromatherapy Oils
A few drops of lavender oil on your pillow can increase your sleep quality by 20%. Lavender is a natural relaxant and will help lull you into a blissful state of sleep.
- Power Off
The blue light on your phone or tablet can hinder your ability to fall asleep. Many phones come with a blue light filter you can switch on before bed, or you could simply just refrain from scrolling before you plan to nod off.
- Meditation
Many people swear by meditation as a means of getting to sleep. Try it.
- Watch Your Nap Time
Naps can be beneficial to your health but try to keep them at 20 minutes or less if you’d like a restful night.
- A Leg Pillow
Is back pain stopping you from getting 8 hours of shut eye? Try a leg pillow. A pillow between your legs aligns your hips and relieved stress from your lower back.
- Make Your Bed A Sleep-Only Sanctuary
Reserve your bed for sleep (and cuddles) only. Watching tv, eating, surfing the net or worst of all – working – in bed takes away from its aura of relaxation and rest.
- Get a Routine Going
Setting your body clock is the way to go. Hitting the sheets at the same time every night and waking up at around the same hour every morning will help you fall asleep with ease.
- Avoid Caffeine After Noon
Coffee in the morning is fine, but not so much in the afternoon. Look for hidden caffeine too – chocolate before bed can keep you up longer than you’d like.
- Smart Exercising
Working out is wonderful at helping you fall asleep – as long it’s not 3 hours or less before you hit the sack.
- The Alcohol Myth
A lot of people think wine makes them sleepy. And it may help you fall asleep initially, but it’s not a good idea for a sound night’s rest. Alcohol dehydrates the body, so you’ll be waking up parched at various times throughout the night.
- Eat Wise
Eating rich and heavy foods before going to bed can hinder the quality of your sleep. Keep snacks light – and try not to eat an hour before going to bed.
- Dim the Lights
Start lowering the lights in the hours before bed. Dark lighting signals to your body to make melatonin, the hormone that sends your body to sleep.
- Unwind the Mind
Let go of work or daily stresses before going to bed. If you struggle to switch off, try a warm bath or relaxing music.
- Temperature Control
The perfect sleep temperature for most people is between 68 and 72 degrees. Being too hot or too cold has a major effect on our sleep quality – so it’s best to keep it in check.
