There are many benefits to getting a good night’s sleep, ranging from increased productivity and health benefits to increased stress resistance. However, getting a good night’s sleep is not always easy. Stress, coffee, lack of exercise, and ill-placed electronic devices can all come with obstacles to deep slumber. Here are some tips for better sleep!
A lot of people think that they don’t get enough hours in the day to get everything they need to be done in time. When you’re feeling this way, it’s so tempting to stay up too late and then wake up feeling groggy—but doing this will only make your day more complicated than it already is. If you are feeling this way, try to stop and take time to relax. When you feel stressed, try going for a walk, taking a bath, or meditating.
Some people lie awake at night, worrying about the day ahead. When that happens, it is easy to let your worries keep you up all night. If this applies to you, try putting your worries into perspective by trying something called “worry time”. Set aside a small amount of time (like 10-15 minutes) and focus only on your worries during that period. Then when worry time is over, acknowledge that your worries are still there, but don’t let them stress you out any further.
Some people work out to de-stress during the day but then can’t fall asleep at night. When this happens physically and mentally, you are completely worn out. Try running or biking early in the morning before work—this will allow you to get your exercise done, and you won’t have to worry about doing it later in the day when you’re exhausted. Or, if you can, take a nap after your workout—that way, it won’t interfere with your sleep at night.
If you use technology late at night, put it away after a specific time. Not only are electronics distracting, but their light can suppress your natural circadian rhythm and lead to poor sleep habits. Try reading a book instead, or relax before bed.
There is even evidence that getting a good night’s sleep can improve your ability to handle stress. This is because sleep helps the body combat stress by reducing cortisol levels in the bloodstream! So the next time you feel stressed out, get the good night’s sleep you need.u8hj
