4 Steps To A Better Nights Sleep
Take a step back and really look at all of the factors that contribute to how you sleep each night. Pressures at work, from family, unexpected challenges, illnesses, etc. Are you feeling cabby? Worn out? We are the worst judges when it comes to our own sleep habits and often times we don’t recognize or even pay attention to the lack of quality sleep we receive each night. So, if you are waking up tired and in pain with a worn down path to the coffee pot, it may be time to take a hard look at your sleep habits and start practicing these steps to improve them and your overall health. It has been proven that sleep has a direct relationship to our overall physical and mental health.
Stick To A Schedule
A schedule is very important to each and every one of our professional careers. It holds appointments, meetings, daily errands, etc. Why aren’t we setting the same ground rules for our personal health? For instance, scheduling time to get in the gym and work on our fitness or scheduling a bed time each night and holding ourselves to it. Understandably, there are times where it’s just not possible lay down and go to sleep certain nights due to an influx of work, or maybe a newborn baby in your life. We get it. But, on the nights where it is possible, give it your best effort to go to sleep and rise and shine at the same time. Even on the weekends, holidays, and your days off. When you practice consistency in your sleeping habits it reinforces your body’s sleep-wake cycle and promotes deeper, more restful sleep. It’s not going to come easy at first, as with any routine, it takes time to perfect. Don’t agonize over falling asleep as you may find it more difficult to dose off. If you can’t fall asleep within the first 15 minutes of laying down, get up and do something relaxing and try again.
Create A Bedtime Ritual
This will help with sticking to the bedtime schedule. As you fall into a certain routine it will help your body and mind recognize that it is getting closer to bedtime and you will find yourself relaxing and it will be much easier to sleep. Do the same things each night before you crawl into bed. Take a shower or bath, read a book or listen to soft, soothing music. These relaxing activities will help the transition from wakefulness to drowsiness and promote better sleep.
Make Sure You’re Comfortable
Believe it or not, being uncomfortable makes it harder to sleep. Shocker, right? Make sure your bedroom, bed, pillows, sheets, blankets, etc. all are as comfortable as possible. Turn the air down. Dim or turn off the lights. Consider earplugs to block out noise or a sound machine to create an ambiance that best suits your needs. Your mattress and pillows are two key components that directly affect how you sleep. These types used are subjective, of course, to the person using them – but here is a guide to help you decide on the right pillow. If you have a partner, make sure there is enough room for both of you to be comfortable. Also, if you have children or pets, make sure to set limits on how often they sleep with you or insist on them sleeping separately.
Manage Your Stress
Stress plays one of the biggest roles in the quality of sleep we enjoy each night. If you’re stressed your mind can wander and focus on all of the things bothering you, the tasks that need completion tomorrow, etc. This does not promote quality sleep. Organize your thoughts before bed. Try making a list of everything on your mind. Putting your thoughts on paper is a great way to release stress and help relieve your mind of everything you need to do. Set priorities, delegate tasks, laugh with a friend, exercise or find a suitable, HEALTHY way to relieve stress.
If you find yourself thinking that your current mattress isn’t up to snuff and it is part of the reason for your lack of quality sleep, Mattresses For Less is here to help. We have a massive inventory of top name brand mattresses in stock including Serta, Simmons, iComfot, Comforpedic, Beauty Rest Black, and Restonic. We are also Houston’s Adjustable Bed Headquarters with the largest selection of adjustable beds and bases in Texas. Visit any one of our 5 Houston, Texas locations so that our trained staff assist you in choosing the perfect night’s sleep for you!