8 Super Easy Tips to Help You Sleep Better Every Night
8 Super Easy Tips to Help You Sleep Better Every Night
Good sleep is the best prescription for your health and wellbeing. But what if you have trouble getting to sleep at night? Take a look at these tips from sleep experts for daily habits that prime your body and mind for a peaceful night.
How great does it feel when you've had a properly restful night's sleep? You're unstoppable, leaping out of bed, rejuvenated and ready to go!
When you've slept poorly, on the other hand... Ugh, you have to drag yourself out from under the covers, bleary eyed and weary, already counting down the hours until it's bedtime again…!
Getting good sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health and wellbeing.
Our favorite way to make that happen (though we might be biased) is to lie down each night on one of our beautiful organic mattresses, which provide just the right amount of support and comfort to make healthy sleep happen.
Aside from a high-quality mattress, though, what else can you do to improve your sleep experience? Let’s take a look.
Getting good sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health and wellbeing.
1. Have Fun with Brain Teasers
We’re talking about giving your brain a good old-fashioned workout, with word puzzles, number challenges and quizzes. That can be a puzzle on your phone during a bus ride or unwinding with a crossword at night. This type of mental gymnastics makes sure you've exercised all the gray matter of your brain, effectively exhausting your mind. That way, you can shut down more easily when the lights go out.
2. Get Your Body Moving
It turns out that exercise wears you out, lowers stress, and combats depression. To enjoy the benefits of a good workout, you don't have to be that weird guy who's always at the gym (you know, the one who constantly stares at himself in the mirror as he flexes). Just 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise can help your body to release stress and toxins. This means that when it's time to hit the hay, you'll be able to hit it hard.
3. Rock Out to Your Favorite Tunes
Music can help you let loose and blow off some steam, or help to calm your mind and heart rate. It can even induce sleep. Scientists are still learning about the healing power of music, and it is increasingly being used to help to treat things like depression and Alzheimer’s. Of course, the types of music most beneficial to you will vary depending on the time of day, your mood, and personal taste. No matter what music you are listening to, there is a good chance it will help both your mind and body, leaving you a little more ready for sleep when bedtime rolls around.
Music can help you let loose and blow off some steam, or help to calm your mind and heart rate. It can even induce sleep. Scientists are still learning about the healing power of music, and it is increasingly being used to help to treat things like depression and Alzheimer’s.
4. Breathe In (And Out)
Breathe in...aaaaand exhale. There are many benefits to practicing deep, slow breathing. It can reduce blood pressure and heart rate, warding off stress and setting your body up for a restful night. Try this easy technique: sit or lie down and inhale through your nose to the count of five. Concentrate on breathing from your belly instead of your chest. Then, exhale slowly through your nose to another count of five. Do this about five times, or more if you're finding it helpful.
5. Unplug
In our modern world, it's all too easy to be plugged into work 24/7. But one of the best things you can do for yourself is separate work and home life.
Try finishing work at a reasonable hour, to give your mind and body some downtime before bed. If you can, unplug at lunchtime too. Whether it's disconnecting to eat or take a walk, even short breaks throughout the day can help to keep your body and mind balanced.
It's also advisable to put your phone or tablet down an hour or two before you go to bed. Light from screens can disrupt your natural body clock and reduce melatonin levels, which is our signal to go to sleep. So give yourself a break from the endless scrolling – the world can wait until tomorrow!
6. The Magic of H20
It detoxifies, burns calories, and keeps our bodies in balance. Drink enough water on a regular basis and you'll reap those rewards all the time. The healthier your lifestyle, the better your sleep. The common standard is to drink around eight glasses a day, so use this as a guide. A little more or less may be right for you.
7. Keep a Sleep Schedule
Your body's internal clock is surprisingly precise for something that isn't controlled by an app. This circadian rhythm is nature's way of keeping your body flowing in a consistent pattern. When it comes to sleep, your body wants you to stick to a regular schedule to keep that rhythm on track. Stay in sync by going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning to allow yourself to sleep better naturally.
8. Run Around the House!
You run all over the place for them, so why not make them run a bit too? One of the greatest causes of kids struggling to sleep at bedtime, or waking during the night, is they haven’t been as active as they need to be. If you’re a parent, helping your kids make exercise part of their daily life from a young age is invaluable. As a side benefit, when your kids are sleeping well, there’s a better chance that you will too.
Follow our tips to improve your daily habits and you’ll be snoozing peacefully through the night in no time. And if you need something to lie on, we definitely recommend one of our organic mattresses… :)