3 Tips for Finding More Sleep
By Genevieve Cunningham
Sleep. You know you want more. Most people wake up in the morning already tired. Maybe you went to bed too late. Maybe you tossed and turned all night. Maybe you just can't seem to catch up. Whatever the case may be, you'd gladly welcome more sleep into your daily life. Of course, finding more sleep and getting better rest is way easier said than done. So how do you do it? You start with a plan. If you're working to improve your sleep and health too, take a look at these tips to help you get moving in the right direction.
Stress Relief
Stress is terrible for sleep. If you've ever come home from a long exhausting day at work only to toss and turn in your bed, it's likely that stress is the culprit. If you want more sleep, you need less stress. So how do we get rid of stress? We end procrastination habits. We say no to extra activities when we're already busy. We find a good wind down and bedtime routine, and we stick to it every day. While this can't eliminate all stress from our lives, it can help us manage it. It can help us keep it at a level that's tolerable for our bodies and minds. The less stress that you feel at the day's end, the better your sleep will be. So take this step seriously for better rest and overall health.
Avoid the Phone
The phone is so bad for us. It brings a lot of ease into our lives -- instant contact, quick communication, vast information. But it's also harmful. It hurts our eyes, our brain, our necks, and it absolutely hurts our sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, don't reach for the phone. You'll only make it worse! Get up and make a lap around the house. Get out a paper book (no electronics!). But stay away from the phone and any other screen. It might take self-discipline and time for this to work, but if you give it a chance, you may find better sleep is around the corner.
Monitor Your Diet
Some people are harming their sleep through diet, and they don't even realize it. If you're having trouble sleeping and nothing seems to be working, monitor your diet. Are you eating or drinking caffeine late in the day? Are you consuming large amounts of water before bed? These actions can keep you awake. Cut off your caffeine intake around noon. Avoid liquid in the few hours leading up to bedtime. Getting control of your diet is a solid way to boost sleep -- and probably boost your health at the same time.
There's no reason to feel tired and rundown all the time. If you can't sleep, make a plan! And if that doesn't work, get professional help. Good sleep is crucial for our well-being. Get more sleep today, and you may feel better than ever in no time at all.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Wichita, Kans.