Things That Can Keep You Awake at Night
By Sara Butler
Sleep is crucial for your continued health and wellness. But not everyone can fall asleep right away and stay that way all night. If you're one of them and having trouble getting the proper sleep you need, then you need to find out why. There are some common sleep busters out there that may be keeping you from proper sleep. Here's how to identify them and what you can do to turn it around.
During Your Daily Routine
Sleep busters can happen at any time of the day, but during the day there are a few specific ones. These include:
- Caffeine too close to bedtime - If you're drinking caffeine in the afternoons, then it might be why you're having trouble sleeping. Avoid it for at least 10 hours before you're going to hit the hay.
- Drinking alcohol - Some people love the idea of a nightcap, but the truth is that alcohol is terrible or your sleep since it prevents your brain from falling into deep, restorative sleep. If you're going out, then it's important to stop drinking at least three hours before you plan to go to sleep.
- Eating before bed - A full stomach is not a recipe for a good night's sleep. It can lead to discomfort and intestinal distress that keeps you from sleeping, so limit how much food you eat in the evening and don't have anything about three hours before bed.
Your Surroundings
Where you sleep can also have an impact on your sleep quality. Some of the most common environmental sleep issues include:
- Light - Before bed, turn off your screens for at least an hour and darken your bedroom as best as you can
- Room too warm - The perfect sleep temperature is about 66 degrees Fahrenheit, so sleeping at a temperature above that can make it more difficult to get to sleep and stay that way
- Noise - If you need quiet to sleep, then try a sound machine or a fan for some white noise to drown out other sounds
Mental Hurdles to Sleep
How many nights have you laid awake worried about something? Your mental state can impact sleep too. Some of the most common mental sleep busters include:
- Worry - If you're worried about getting to sleep or have anxiety about what you need to do the next day, then sleep can be tough to find. If you find yourself in a tough spot, then get up out of bed and do something to distract yourself until you're tired, then give it another try.
- Pain - If you're in a lot of physical pain, then you have to find a way to relax. Try meditation or deep breathing exercises to help.
Sleep is essential to your health and wellness, so make sure you're not accidentally keeping yourself awake.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Riverside, Calif.