3 Tips for Improving Your Sleep at Night
By Stephen R. Farris
Do you find yourself not getting enough sleep at night? Well, you're not alone. Most folks don't get enough sleep due to their lifestyle, or if they suffer from certain health conditions. It seems the older we get, the less sleep we get, and this holds true for a lot of people over the age of 50.
The result of getting less sleep at night can range from having negative thoughts concerning your age, or could develop into adverse effects upon your health. At times, we may even feel older than what we are when we get up in the morning, due to those sleepless nights.
At worst, we may feel less active, find it hard to remember things, or function like we used to. You feel less energized than what you once were accustomed to.
The good news is there's things you can implement into your everyday lifestyle that could lead to a better night's sleep. Some of these might just be the very thing you need to boost your energy levels and become more functional each day.
So here's a few tips that could help you out.
Quit Napping During the Day
While power naps can be good during the day and have been found to help increase productivity among workers, if you're having trouble getting a full night's sleep that afternoon nap can do the opposite. According to research, sleep builds up throughout the day. The medical term for this is called sleep homeostasis. When sleep homeostasis gets interrupted -- that afternoon nap -- then the pressure drops. When this happens, it may lead to trouble getting to sleep at your normal time and cause tossing and turning throughout the night. So try avoiding that afternoon nap and see if it helps.
Stay on Schedule
Staying on schedule is another tip that could help you get better sleep at night. If you wake up at a certain time and go to bed at a designated time, then stick with it. Even on the weekends. Sure, there will be times your schedule may become interrupted, but get back on schedule as quickly as you can to avoid getting out of the habit.
Cut Off Your Electronic Devices
In this day and age, we are all guilty of this. In most cases it can't be helped. We are either constantly looking at a screen, whether it's from a smartphone, laptop, desktop, or the television. So if you're having difficulty falling asleep at night, try cutting off your electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime.
After all, shouldn't we feel younger than we actually are?
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in North Little Rock, Ark.