“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.”
-Irish Proverb
There are so many problems that you could get over, only if you slept well. But in today’s exceedingly competitive, fast-paced society, not sleeping enough is looked upon as a badge of courage—as if that’s how someone must live!
No doubt sometimes you have to forgo a good night’s sleep when an emergency crops up, but if you’re doing that too often, then you might want to take a step back because you are on a VERY dangerous path!
If insomnia has gripped you, or if you are dealing with issues at work or in your personal life that are robbing you of your nightly slumber, then try these methods to start sleeping properly again.
Start Monitoring What You Eat
If you are going to bed too hungry, or you’re over-eating, then there’s a good chance that your discomfort will keep you up.Do not drink a lot of water before bedtime as this may cause you to get up in the middle of the night.
Also, stay away from caffeinated products—there are lots of unlikely sources out there. Sodas, dark chocolate, ice cream, weight loss pills, and pain relievers all have generous quantities of caffeine, so try to avoid them before going to bed.
Create a Bed Time Habit
What triggers you to go to sleep? Some people like to read a book; others listen to relaxing music. A warm water bath is always helpful, too. The idea here is to become comfortable and relaxed, so try to do something that creates passive thoughts in your mind, rather than active ones.
Create an Atmosphere That Motivates You to Fall Asleep
Your bedroom should be a sanctuary of peace and quiet, so keep anything that excites you out of it. Use a comfortable mattress, dark shades or curtains, and earplugs if you feel that it’s necessary. Your bed should have enough space for you, and if you are sharing, enough room for both you and your partner.
Sleep Only Once a Day
Conventional wisdom may have lectured you that you should be sleeping after lunch, but doing so can actually disturb your nighttime sleep. It is better to sleep once a day, rather than multiple times, so if you sleep during the afternoon, you may end up waking up tossing and turning later.
Exercise Regularly
This is the proverbial stone that can help you shoot a whole flock of birds with a single throw. When you physically exert yourself, your body automatically begins to crave sleep. Do not work out too close to your bed time though, as that can leave you feeling a little too energetic to fall asleep.
De-Stress Your Life
You’re probably thinking, “Just like that, eh?”Stress management is an ongoing and lifelong pursuit, but it’s only hard when you are trying to create new habits. Removing stress will require some introspection on your part, and often times giving up activities that aren’t immediately important can lead to a better quality of life. You should also make a conscious effort to surround yourself with cheerful, helpful people who enrich your life, not drain it out of you.
If your lack of sleep is running your life, then you need to set up a sleep consultation with our team as soon as possible.
Image: waffler
