Tips for Getting Better
Sleep
articles
Tips for Better Sleep,
Chronic
Sleep Disorders ,
Meditation
for Better Sleep,
Stress at Work
How to Reduce and Manage
Stress
Do
you have trouble falling asleep, or toss and turn in the middle
of the night? Awaken too early, or find yourself not feeling
awake in the AM? You are not alone as millions of people struggle
with falling and staying asleep.
Unless you’re suffering from a sleep
disorder, simply improving your daytime habits and creating
a better sleep environment can set the stage for good sleep.
By developing a good bedtime routine and designing a plan that
works with your individual needs, you can avoid common pitfalls
and make simple changes that bring you consistently better
sleep. How can what you do during the day affect your sleep
at night?
- Keep lights
and distracting noises to
a minimum. Use earplugs, window
blinds, heavy curtains, or an eye
mask.
- Avoid big
meals a few hours before bedtime.
A light snack is fine.
- Don't drink
caffeine four to six hours before
bedtime.
- Regular exercise
like walking will reduce stress
and help your sleeping.
- Don't exercise
within two hours of bedtime. You
may have more difficulty falling
asleep.
- Don't nap
late in the afternoon.
- Stop working
on any job a few hours before bedtime
to calm your mind.
- Don't discuss
emotional issues right before sleep.
- Keep your
pets outside your sleeping area
if you can.
- Make sure
your bedroom is at a comfortable
temperature as the body is coolest
during sleep.
- Visualize
a peaceful setting.
Better sleep habits starts with good daytime
habits, from when (and how often) you exercise to what you eat
and drink. Regular exercise, aside from many other wonderful
health benefits, usually makes it easier to fall asleep and
sleep better. You don’t have to be a star athlete to reap the
benefits-- as little as twenty to thirty minutes of activity
helps. And you don’t need to do all 30 minutes in one
session: break it up into five minutes here, ten minutes there.
A brisk walk, a bicycle ride or a run is time well spent. Be
sure to schedule your exercise in the morning or early evening.
Exercising too late in the day actually stimulates the body,
raising its temperature. That’s the opposite of what you want
near bedtime, because a cooler body temperature is associated
with sleep. Don’t feel glued to the couch in the evening,
though. Exercise such as relaxation yoga or simple stretching
is fine.
reprinted from
http://www.helpguide.org/