5 Sleep-Enhancing Habits Everyone Should Try
Do you remember the last time you fell asleep soundly and stayed asleep throughout the night?
It seems that in our time-starved culture, a good night’s rest has taken a back seat to work, chores, and television. And when it finally comes time to catch those ever-so-elusive Z’s, your sleep is robbed by the stress-inducing woes of everyday life. After all, few things can keep you awake more than your seemingly never-ending to-do list.
So much for counting sheep.
If this sounds like you, then it’s time for a change. It’s time to put an end to those sleepless nights and to reclaim what you truly deserve – a rejuvenating 8 hours of pure, blissful, sleep.
Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. You’re not doomed to lousy sleep for the rest of your life. In fact, a few simple lifestyle changes might be all you need to nod off into a slumber worthy of royalty.
Five Ways You Can Enjoy a Blissful Night’s Rest
Start your path to a good night’s sleep by following these 5 tips today:
1) Say No to Bright Lights
There’s a pretty good reason why the sun comes up in the morning and goes down at night. Watching television or using your cell phone late at night is counterproductive to getting a good night’s rest.
The truth is, it’s simply not natural to expose your body to bright light at night. Light can influence your circadian rhythm, a biological process that regulates your sleep cycle.
When the lights go out, your body produces melatonin, otherwise known as the “sleep hormone”. Light can put a damper on your body’s ability to produce melatonin, so dim those lights and consider sticking with your favorite novel instead of checking how many likes your Facebook post received.
2) Be Thankful
Instead of focusing on all the negatives in your life, think about what you have and be grateful for it. Dwelling on the bad things in your life can hurt your sleep and keep you from making positive changes for yourself. In fact, one study by the University of Manchester found that those who expressed gratitude and positive thoughts slept better than those who didn’t.
3) Watch Out for Sugar
Yes, we’re looking at you, Mr. Late Night Bowl of Ice Cream. Sugary food can cause a blood sugar spike that’ll likely disrupt your beauty rest. For an uninterrupted night’s rest, avoid eating heavy meals three hours before you hit the sack.
4) Try an Epsom Salt Soak
Treating yourself to a blissful Epsom salt bath before bed can help gently soothe frazzled nerves thanks to its high magnesium content. Go ahead – light up those candles, dim the lights, and soak it up because you’re so worth it.
5) Upgrade Your Mattress
Let’s face it, no one likes to sleep on a rock-hard bed. If you can’t remember when you bought your bed, it might just be time for a new one.
A memory foam mattress can give your body all the support it needs for a luxurious night’s rest.
The Night is Yours – Start Sleeping Better Today
By recognizing what’s important in your life and putting a stop to poor sleep habits, you can enjoy a better sleep every single night.