A good night’s sleep is useful for more than just avoiding bags under your eyes. Sleep affects our brain’s ability to function, and can even help us ward off illness in our retirement years.
However, knowing you need to get more sleep, and actually getting it are two different things. Between family, work, and everything else in between, it can be difficult to prioritize rest. If you’d like to get a better night’s sleep, then here are some of the best tips for you to consider.
Avoid Screens Before Bed
We get it— everyone loves to have some scrolling time before they fall asleep. After all, a little time on Instagram or TikTok never hurt anyone, right? Wrong. Screen time can have a significant impact on our brain’s ability to shut down when it’s time to get some sleep.
Try to avoid screens at least an hour before you fall asleep. Instead, read, meditate, or do something else that doesn’t require a screen in front of your face. If you absolutely must look at a screen before you go to bed, make sure that it’s on nighttime reduced blue light mode, with a warmer color setting.
Cut Out That Afternoon Coffee
If you can’t seem to fall asleep when it’s time, then it may be because of too much caffeine consumption. Do you find yourself drinking coffee past 2:00 PM? If so, this could be the culprit for your poor sleep at night. As we get older, our bodies become more sensitive to caffeine. As such, we can become over-stimulated, and our sleep can be significantly affected as a result.
If you absolutely must have a coffee, then opt for decaf. Just be careful if you’re ordering a decaf in a restaurant. People who have worked in restaurants for years can tell you that when you order decaf, what you’re getting isn’t always guaranteed to be decaffeinated.
Wake Up Earlier
If you have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep, it may be because your sleep rhythm is off. Try to wake up earlier, and you may find that by the time evening rolls around, your body is more than ready to go to sleep. Statistics show that people who sleep best at night are the ones who have been up and moving for longer periods of time throughout the day. It goes without saying that the earlier you wake up, the longer you’ll move throughout the duration of your day.
Exercise
Try to get into the habit of engaging in some sort of daily exercise. Whether it’s a brisk walk, or even dancing in your living room, the more that you move, the more your body will be ready to sleep at night.