10 Sleep-Easy Strategies for the New Year
If you resolved to get more sleep in 2015, you're in luck. These surefire ideas will help give you the extra snooze you once only dreamed of
Some of us set New Year resolutions at the beginning of 2015, and some of us didn’t, but if there is one thing we can all agree on it’s this: there are few people who get their full, doctor-recommended eight hours sleep at night.
Sound familiar? Well, this year you can change that – and it’s not even that hard. With the help of a few smart lifestyle tweaks, you can change your sleeping habits for the better. Here are 10 tips to ensure you’ll be well-rested all through 2015 and beyond.
Sound familiar? Well, this year you can change that – and it’s not even that hard. With the help of a few smart lifestyle tweaks, you can change your sleeping habits for the better. Here are 10 tips to ensure you’ll be well-rested all through 2015 and beyond.
2. Take power naps
If you find yourself nodding off every afternoon, a power nap can be helpful. However, it is important to take your nap outside the bedroom. That way you send a signal to your brain that this is a nap, not a proper sleep. Aim for 15-20 minutes at most.
If you find yourself nodding off every afternoon, a power nap can be helpful. However, it is important to take your nap outside the bedroom. That way you send a signal to your brain that this is a nap, not a proper sleep. Aim for 15-20 minutes at most.
3. Spend time in the sunlight
Make an effort to step outside and soak up some sunlight first thing every morning. This tells your body that it is daytime and needs to wake up. Additionally, make sure you draw open your curtains and let the sun shine in during the day.
Make an effort to step outside and soak up some sunlight first thing every morning. This tells your body that it is daytime and needs to wake up. Additionally, make sure you draw open your curtains and let the sun shine in during the day.
4. Darken your bedroom
On the flip side, it is important that your bedroom is as dark as possible when you’re trying to fall asleep at night. Make sure you have heavy curtains that block outside lights, and try to remove any electrical displays (for example, computer screens) that add light to your room.
On the flip side, it is important that your bedroom is as dark as possible when you’re trying to fall asleep at night. Make sure you have heavy curtains that block outside lights, and try to remove any electrical displays (for example, computer screens) that add light to your room.
5. Invest in the right bed
You need to be able to completely relax when you hit the sack, so make sure you are as comfortable as possible. Think about investing in a quality mattress that is tailored to your body size and shape. Additionally, pick up high-quality linens that don’t itch or irritate. Likewise, you should make sure you have a pillow that suits your sleeping habits, or you’ll find yourself tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable.
You need to be able to completely relax when you hit the sack, so make sure you are as comfortable as possible. Think about investing in a quality mattress that is tailored to your body size and shape. Additionally, pick up high-quality linens that don’t itch or irritate. Likewise, you should make sure you have a pillow that suits your sleeping habits, or you’ll find yourself tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable.
6. Avoid caffeine
Some experts believe caffeine can cause people to stay awake up to 12 hours after drinking it. As such, it might be wise to eliminate caffeinated drinks from your diet post-lunch. If that is seemingly impossible, try to cut back your caffeine-intake, at the very least.
Some experts believe caffeine can cause people to stay awake up to 12 hours after drinking it. As such, it might be wise to eliminate caffeinated drinks from your diet post-lunch. If that is seemingly impossible, try to cut back your caffeine-intake, at the very least.
7. Eliminate stress
Stress is a part of our everyday life, but it is also one of the most common causes of sleep deprivation. If you can, learn to release your stress through meditation, yoga or writing your problems down. Some people find it helps to write a to-do list at night. That way you won’t be thinking about all the things you have to do, because you’ll have them handy.
Stress is a part of our everyday life, but it is also one of the most common causes of sleep deprivation. If you can, learn to release your stress through meditation, yoga or writing your problems down. Some people find it helps to write a to-do list at night. That way you won’t be thinking about all the things you have to do, because you’ll have them handy.
8. Keep work at work
Whether you work from an office or at home, make sure your work and work space are kept separate from your bedroom. Also, set yourself a time each night that you have to stop checking work emails, taking notes, and so on.
Whether you work from an office or at home, make sure your work and work space are kept separate from your bedroom. Also, set yourself a time each night that you have to stop checking work emails, taking notes, and so on.
9. Mellow down
Around 30 minutes before your set bedtime, turn off all electronics and start mellowing down. Read a book or a magazine, have a drink of warm milk, or take a quick bath. Whatever it is, take the time to tell your body it’s time to relax.
Around 30 minutes before your set bedtime, turn off all electronics and start mellowing down. Read a book or a magazine, have a drink of warm milk, or take a quick bath. Whatever it is, take the time to tell your body it’s time to relax.
10. Keep it cool
Make sure your bedroom is at a comfortable temperature. If it’s too hot or too cold, you’ll quickly find you are uncomfortable. If you don’t have ceiling fans or heaters, invest in a dual-action floor heating and air-conditioning unit.
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Do you have any clever sleeping hacks you’d like to share?
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Make sure your bedroom is at a comfortable temperature. If it’s too hot or too cold, you’ll quickly find you are uncomfortable. If you don’t have ceiling fans or heaters, invest in a dual-action floor heating and air-conditioning unit.
TELL US
Do you have any clever sleeping hacks you’d like to share?
MORE
Set Your Bedroom Up for a Better Night’s Sleep
20 Contemporary Bedrooms for Sleep … and More
Blue in the Bedroom for a Peaceful Night’s Sleep
Your body can actually be sleep-trained, much the way a newborn baby’s can. The trick is to try and go to bed at the same time every night, and wake up at the same time every morning, even on weekends. Your body will adjust accordingly, and soon you will find that both falling asleep and waking up are that much easier.