Stress, overwhelm, tiredness, irascibility, bad mood . The lack of sleep in our character become even more important if they have a certain impact on our work environment.
Just as important as eating and drinking is being able to get a good night's sleep.
Surely you get an idea about what are the good habits that generally help you fall asleep. As in everything, each person has their own peculiarities and you must find what are the most effective guidelines in your case. In case you have any questions, always consult your doctor.
Establish sleep patterns
To sleep well, it is important to maintain specific (and consistent) sleep patterns. Getting up and going to bed at the same time every day (weekends included) is one of the best ways to educate your body and brain in this regard.
By getting them used to a healthy schedule, over time you will learn to sleep quickly and rest through the night.
As for the nap, it is not recommended in case of people with sleeping problems. If you can't avoid it, try not to make it last more than 20 minutes.
Take care of the diet
Eating a healthy and balanced diet that provides the necessary nutrients should be a priority. Skipping stimulant foods, avoiding excess sugar and unhealthy fats will help you feel better before going to sleep.
What should the ideal dinner look like to help you fall asleep? Light, made up of easily digestible foods, and should at least take place a couple of hours before going to bed.
In addition, it is proven that there are a number of foods that help you sleep better , such as honey.
Perform physical exercise
Exercising regularly several times a week helps you sleep better. To avoid being counterproductive, try to finish your exercise routine 3-4 hours before bed. At the opposite extreme, too much physical activity before bed can have the opposite effect and keep you awake.
There are activities such as yoga and tai chi that are especially recommended for people with a tendency to insomnia. If you have never practiced them before, consider the possibility of starting to do it.
Cut down on caffeine and alcohol
Drinking coffee or at breakfast helps to start the day with charged batteries, but if you have trouble sleeping you should avoid them after noon. Check the labels of some foods like chocolate carefully, since your sleep routine could be affected by small amounts that are in it.
Regarding alcohol, although it may seem that it encourages sleep, the truth is that it acts as a stimulant a few hours after ingesting it.
For its part, and like caffeine, nicotine is a powerful stimulant that can worsen insomnia.
Establish bedtime rituals
A relaxing bath, listening to music that transmits calm, meditating, doing small stretches or reading a book, are activities that facilitate the transition to sleep. Above all, try to avoid overly stimulating or stressful activities such as work or arguments.
Prepare the right environment
A messy bedroom with garish decor in which chaos reigns is not the most conducive environment to fall asleep. It will also help you relax by eliminating excess stimuli that may be in it, for example television or work documents.
Ventilating the room and a clean, well-kept bed can have a great psychological effect and encourage sleep, as a survey by the National Sleep Foundation shows. That survey found that people who made their beds in the morning were 19% more likely to get a good night's sleep.
Choosing the right bedding will help you feel fresh and comfortable all night. Cotton and other breathable fabrics are always a good choice. For their part, blankets and duvets should be consistent with the season of the year in which you are.
Often times, the mattress and pillow don't get the attention they deserve. If they are not the right ones for you, it is likely that, in addition to being difficult to sleep, you wake up with neck or back discomfort.
As night approaches, it is a good idea to adjust the intensity of the lights. Find one or more points of light that provide the right light for relaxation. A dark, silent environment with the right temperature is undoubtedly the right setting to invite you to sleep.
In case outside noise prevents you from doing so, you can always use earplugs. On the other hand, the hands of some alarm clocks can certainly be annoying. Consider storing them in a drawer or replacing them if you deem it necessary.
In order to avoid possible complications at bedtime, it is advisable to wake up early and receive natural light as soon as possible. In this way we can eliminate drowsiness and promote the sleep routine at night.