6 Hacks for Improving Your Sleep
Sleep – it’s something that everyone needs, but for many, good quality and consistent sleep can be fleeting and hard to come by. Did you know that approximately one in four Americans end up developing some form of insomnia each and every year? Insomnia can be short-lived, or it can last days, weeks, or even months of tossing and turning and not getting enough sleep.
Without enough sleep, it begins to affect a person’s ability to function both mentally and physically. You’ll have a harder time focusing, your reaction time will slow down, your mood and personality can change, and it can start to feel like you’re in a hazy cloud.
If lack of sleep is something that sounds all too familiar to you, then it’s time to start looking for ways to improve your sleep. Poor quality sleep, or lack of sleek doesn’t have to be your “normal”. With that in mind, here are some useful hacks for improving your sleep.
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Invest in a New Mattress
Sometimes the solution is the simplest thing out there – it could be a matter of investing in a new mattress. If your mattress is old and no longer offers the support you need, then good quality sleep isn’t going to happen. Even if it’s not old, it could just be the wrong type of mattress for your sleep style, or not a good quality one to start with.
One of the hottest mattress trends right now is the bed-in-a-box, where your mattress literally gets shipped to your home vacuum-packed and rolled up in a box. It is the ultimate in convenience, not to mention the fact that you can find some very high-quality mattresses. Be sure to check out Simply Rest’s top choices when it comes to these bet-in-a-box mattress brands, as each one has its own list of pros and cons.
Stop Napping in the Afternoon
Are you the type that just can’t pass up the opportunity to have a little nap in the afternoon? While that short nap may not seem like a big deal at the time, it can really mess with your body’s sleep schedule. It can make it hard for you to fall asleep at bedtime, which means you’ll be tossing and turning half the night and wake up unrested.
Use Room-Darkening Window Coverings
This particular tip is even more important for shift workers who need to sleep during daylight hours. Having your room as dark as possible will help you to fall asleep and stay asleep. Even a small amount of light can actually disrupt your sleep cycle.
Cut Out Caffeine and Alcohol Before Bed
For many people, a glass of wine after dinner may sound like a great idea, but did you know that wine may be keeping you up at night? Alcohol and caffeinated beverages can make it hard for you to either fall asleep or stay sleeping. Instead, opt for water and decaf beverages.
Wind Down in the Evening with Light Stretches
A little light stretching such as Yoga can also prove to be extremely beneficial in the evenings. It helps you to slow down your breathing, allow your mind to rest, and get your whole body and mind into a more tranquil state.
Turn Down the Temperature
Finally, you want to be sure that your room temperature is ideal for sleeping. While it may be tempting to crank up the furnace during the winter months, know that sleeping in a room which is a little cooler is ideal. In the summer, you may also want to use a fan to help circulate the air efficiently.
Get the Sleep You Need
By using these simple hacks, you’ll find you’re able to improve your sleep in no time.
