A good night’s rest is imperative to our daily lives, but unfortunately, many of us toss and turn or wake up numerous times throughout the night. Not only is this frustrating, but it can also be detrimental to the sufferer’s health.
Whether it’s stress from things like dating after divorce, the kids driving you nuts, other life factors, or just an old-fashioned bout of insomnia, sleepless nights are the bane of millions of people the world over. Luckily, there are a few things that you can try that may help you get a better night’s rest.
1. Move Way From The Light
If you’re suffering from restless nights, one of the biggest culprits could be something you use every day, your electronic devices. That smartphone, e-reader, and tablet all emit what’s known as blue light. This light is beneficial during the day because they boost attention, reaction times, and mood, but according to Harvard Health, “blue light can affect your sleep and potentially cause disease.”
For a better night’s sleep, forgo binge-watching ‘Bel-Air’ and turn off those devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
2. Out With The Old
While you change your sheets regularly and know that most experts agree that you need to change out your mattress every eight years, there’s one area you may overlook — your pillow. Pillows are crucial for good sleep, and an excellent therapeutic pillow will cradle your neck and head, keeping you comfortable and ache-free so that you can enjoy a good night’s rest.
You should also consider swapping your old light-colored window coverings with darker options or even blackout shades. Keeping your bedroom as dark as possible will help block out daytime heat as well as help your body “know” that it’s time for sleep.
3. Watch What You Drink
While you’re likely aware that you should cut back on the caffeine before you go to bed, many of you are probably under the impression that alcohol actually helps you sleep, and unfortunately, that is incorrect. Studies have shown that once the initial effects wear off, alcohol can have a negative effect on your quality of sleep.
If you’re serious about getting better sleep at night, try switching to a therapeutic tea as a nightcap. There are many options out there, so if you enjoy tea and suffer from sleep issues, tell your family and friends to get you a variety when they come to you for gift-giving ideas.
4. A New Kid On The Block
While some people swear by using marijuana for sleep help, it’s not legal in every state. However, there are a lot of studies these days showing that its distant cousin, CBD, has multiple potential benefits – including helping with sleep. And fortunately, it is legal in all 50 states.
Whether you use edible gummies for sleep, traditional smokable varieties, or other CBD options, there’s a good chance you could see a drastic improvement in your sleep quality.
5. Cool Things Down
Lastly, unless you are incredibly cold-natured, you should try to keep your bedroom at an ideal 66 degrees. Cooler temperatures help promote and maintain optimum sleep, but this doesn’t mean that you have to set the thermostat that low. Use your ceiling our oscillating fan to help move the cooler air across your body and if it makes your body too cold, try using a light blanket instead of raising the room temperature.
All of these tips have the potential to help you get better sleep at night. While they may not seem all that big of a deal, sometimes, it’s the small things that can have the most significant impact. Try implementing one at a time and customize the tips to fit your lifestyle, and you could find yourself sleeping better than ever before.
