Better sleep means better concentration, better skin, better digestion and more! Here are seven easy tips to get better sleep…tonight!
#1 Give your food time to digest before going to bed.
Eating too close to bed time burdens your body with digestion and absorption when you should be resting and recuperating.
For better digestion and better sleep, try to finish eating 2-3 hours before you go to bed.
#2 Put down your phone and closing your laptop at least one hour before bed.
Devices like cell phones, tablets and computers emit short-wavelength enriched light called blue light.
Blue light reduces the natural production of melatonin and decreases feelings of sleepiness which can keep you up at night.
If you’re someone who must work or study using electronics at night, try investing in some blue light blocking glasses or utilize nighttime mode that reduces blue emissions.
#3 Maintain a regular sleep-wake schedule, even on the weekends.
A consistent sleep schedule helps to maintain the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm. Better quality rest benefits your overall health.
#4 Avoid highly processed snacks before bedtime.
Eating salty, sugary or greasy foods before bed can not only disrupt restorative sleep, but can also cause morning dehydration and puffiness.
Round out your day with a balanced plate at dinnertime. You’ll be less likely to want a snack before bedtime if you’re being properly satiated.
If you do choose to grab a snack, stick to whole foods like apple slices with nut butter or tuna salad with a few whole grain crackers.
#5 Keep your room as cool and dark as possible.
Sleeping in a cool room lowers your body temperature and metabolism rate. As a result, you don’t spend as much energy during sleep, and you’re less likely to wake up in the middle of the night. Cotton sheets and blankets or a small fan can help make sure you stay cooler than the other side of the pillow.
Exposure to light blocks the production of melatonin. When this happens before bed or during sleep, it can interfere with the sleep-wake cycle. Keep windows covered as best you can, turn the tv and electronics off before bedtime, and if you have a nightlight, make sure to turn it off before falling asleep.
#6 Sleep on your left side
By sleeping on your left side, gravity helps to encourage a trip to the bathroom in the morning by allowing waste to flow smoothly through your digestive system. It can also boost brain health and reduce snoring and heartburn.
#7 Have a nightly wind-down routine.
Start prepping yourself for sleep about an hour before bedtime. Here are some healthy habits you can include:
- Turn off the tv and close the laptop.
- Do a nightly skincare routine.
- Listen to relaxing music or sleep sounds.
- Brush & floss teeth.
- Stop scrolling on social media.
- Enjoy some hot tea, try chamomile.
- Read a book or listen to a podcast.
- Do a quick clean up of your space.
- Light a scented candle, try lavender.