A good night’s rest and parenting are not usually synonymous. Parents often can’t remember when they last slept well, leaving them feeling rested and ready to tackle anything their children throw at. It’s not only parents who have trouble sleeping. If you’re anxious or worried about something, it can affect your sleep pattern. The same goes for money worries, relationship problems, debt issues, and family worries.
What can you improve to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep? Well, I have 4 ways to help you get better sleep. Try them!
Your bedroom should be a place of rest and relaxation.
The bedroom is a place where much more happens than just sleep. If you want to improve your sleep, then the bedroom is a good place for you to start. It is important to have a place that is dedicated to relaxation and rest, and is quiet and calm. This will help your mind and body to recognize that it is time to sleep. Start by removing all the clutter and give everything a good clean. Open the window and let some fresh air in. Change the bedsheets, use table lamps instead of overhead lighting and remove everything that doesn’t belong. Piles of laundry, your laptop/printer – find new homes for them!
Switch off
I know it’s easier to say than do. Our dependence on smart phones and our habit of staring at screens for hours can affect our sleep. The blue light from screens can trick your brain into thinking that it is daylight. You could be setting yourself up for a bad night’s sleep by spending an hour scrolling through social networks in bed. Try to reduce your screen-time as the day progresses and opt for two hours of no screen-time before bedtime. You can also ask your optician for blue-blocking glasses.
Get some exercise
This is probably the least welcome advice for someone who is already tired. But incorporating exercise into your daily routine not only has obvious health benefits but it will improve the quality of your sleep. Try a long walk during lunch, or go to the gym. You could even do some exercises at home.
Caffeine is dangerous
On a morning, we all like a nice cup of tea or coffee. It gets us ready for the day, and gives us much-needed energy. Caffeine can be dangerous as the day progresses. Avoid it after 3pm. Caffeine stays in the system for hours and prevents your body from relaxing naturally because it stimulates your nervous system. If you want to gradually reduce your caffeine intake, try warm milky drinks.