How You Can Sleep Better Tonight
By Sara Butler
Many people are still struggling to get enough sleep at night, no matter how much they know about what to do before it's time to hit the hay. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported that one-third of Americans don't get enough sleep at night. If you count yourself among them, then you need real, actionable advice for how to get to sleep better -- starting now. Here are some tips you should try tonight!
Turn the Temperature Down
When you want to get a good night's sleep, then you need to pretend you're in a cave. It needs to be quiet, dark, and above all -- cool. Make sure your thermostat is set to 70 degrees or lower. This helps your core temperature to drop which helps you go to sleep and stay that way.
Turn Off Your Screens
Anything with a screen needs to be given the old adios at least an hour before bed. That's because the blue light emitted from these screens messes with your body's ability to get sleepy. So, if you're regularly falling asleep with the television on or scrolling through social media until you turn out the light, those are bad habits you want to break.
Use the Bed for Sleeping
Many people use their bedroom at a space to do other things aside from sleeping. Maybe you like to work on your laptop in there in the evening or relax and watch a little television to unwind. If that's the case, then you must stop if you want to be able to fall asleep quickly at night.
Your bed should be a place you only get in to sleep. Other activities may have a bad association in your brain, which won't set you up for successful slumber. If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, then get up out of bed for a while, about 15 minutes, and go in the other room to read or do something else quiet. Your bed shouldn't be a stressful place, but a sanctuary. Help your body to see it that way.
Avoid the Snooze Button
This one can be hard, but you really should avoid hitting snooze. Any sleep you get after your alarm goes off is going to be poor quality sleep, so training yourself to get up the first time is good and will help you to feel better in the morning, too.
Sleep is so important to your health. If you need more tips, talk to your chiropractor today!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in St. Louis, Mo.