Sleep. One of the most essential processes when it comes to our overall health and mental well-being. Beyond making us feel simply rested, sleep can preserve our memory well into our retirement years, affect our overall productivity, and ultimately plays a role in our overall immune system.
However, for a wide variety of reasons, many of us struggle to get enough sleep. Whether it’s due to a busy schedule, stress, or too much caffeine, unfortunately, insufficient sleep can take its toll on our overall well-being. Establishing a more consistent sleep routine can be one of the greatest things you do for your health. Here are five tips for getting more sleep and boosting your overall well-being as a result.
Establish a Routine
Routine is an important part of success that can help you in all areas of your life. The more you establish a consistent routine the more your body will get used to it and your routine will start to feel like an instinct. Our bodies and minds thrive on patterns, so the more you can establish a consistent schedule, the more you’ll reinforce your body’s natural sleep wake cycle.
Set a reasonable routine for yourself that fits with your personal and professional life. Wake up at the same time every day, and do your best to go to bed at the same time every night as well.
Create a Bedtime Ritual
Sometimes at the end of the day we’re so charged and energized from the busy day we had that it’s hard to get ourselves into a sleepy state of mind. However, by creating a nighttime ritual that involves activities that wind you down and soothe you, the more you’ll signal to your body that it’s time to sleep.
For some people it involves taking a bath, while for other people it’s as simple as reading a book. Whatever activity you do, stick to it right before you go to bed every night so that when you engage in this activity your body knows it’s a cue to get sleepy.
Avoid Stimulating Activities
It’s important that you limit your exposure to stimulating activities like bright lights from smartphones, computers, and even TV’s. If you must watch the screen, consider turning it on night mode which produces less blue light and less stimulation for your brain. Sleep experts agree that you should avoid any kind of stimulating activity for at least two hours before bed if you hope to enter a restful sleep.
These are just a few tips for not only improving the quantity but the quality of your sleep. By staying committed and maintaining a consistent schedule, you’ll wake up every day feeling more refreshed and rejuvenated than ever.