Today, most people recognize that getting enough sleep each night plays a big part in maintaining good health. But, if you have a busy work and family schedule, you know how stress, overwork and worry can make it difficult to get to sleep. Fortunately, there are several simple things you can do to relax and prepare yourself for a restful sleep each night. Consider seven examples.
Use a Digital Alarm Clock
Chances are, you use the alarm on your cellphone to awaken you for work each morning. Having your cellphone close at hand makes it very easy to start surfing the Internet, checking social media pages and looking at email. The light from your cellphone and the flow of information gets your brain working making it difficult to get into a relaxed state of mine. So, leave your phone in another room and try using a digital clock as your morning alarm. Be sure to turn the digital numbers to the wall. This prevents you from continually checking the time and keeps you from being disturbed by the glow of the numbers.
Invest in Light-Blocking Drapes
Sunlight coming in a window can awaken you before you’ve had your fill of sleep. This is especially true in the spring and summer months. Solve this dilemma by hanging up some light-blocking drapes. This allows you to control the amount of sunlight entering your bedroom both in the evening and in the early morning. Along with changing your drapes, you can find natural remedies to help encourage sleep at places such as Lifestylemarkets.
Stop Drinking Caffeine Four Hours Before Bed
Caffeine is an ingredient in coffee and soda that can keep you awake way past your bedtime. It’s helpful to stop drinking caffeine-filled beverages about four hours before bedtime. If you find that you’re still jumpy, try lengthening the time period to six hours. This is a great opportunity to drink a few extra glasses of water before the day is done.
Wear an Eye Mask
A fabric eye mask is excellent for blocking the sunlight as you lie down to rest. Also, it’s a less expensive alternative to purchasing light-blocking drapes. If you put an eye mask on each night as you settle into bed it can become a signal to your brain that it’s time to relax and sleep.
Wear Socks to Bed
Find the most comfortable pair of socks in your sock drawer and put them on before going to bed. Wearing socks causes your blood vessels to dilate making your feet warm. This puts you in a more relaxed state. If you don’t want to wear socks you can place more blankets over your feet to keep them extra warm.
Set a Specific Bedtime for Yourself
One of the most helpful things you can do to get a good night’s rest is decide on a specific bedtime. This lets your body clock know when it’s time to calm down and start to move toward sleep. You should adhere, as best you can, to this bedtime both during the week and on weekends. Be sure to base the bedtime you choose on how much sleep you need to feel alert and mentally strong each day. It will be a choice dictated by the needs of your own body.
Make Sleep a Part of Your Health Regimen
Making the decision to prioritize sleep can help you increase the number of restful nights you experience. Quality sleep lessens your stress and can strengthen your immune system. This means you can overcome those colds and other minor ailments even faster. Getting more sleep raises your energy level causing you to eat less throughout the day. Once you make this decision, it will be easier to put aside your work as well as other activities and go right to bed.
Finally, by setting up your own sleeping environment and taking steps to experience restful sleep, you can get more enjoyment out of the time you have during the day with friends, family and coworkers.
