Sleep is a key factor in overall health. If you get enough shuteye every night, you’re giving your body the restorative time it needs to repair damaged muscles, promote growth, and consolidate memory. If you’re going to bed too late and getting up too early, you could be really damaging your holistic health. If you have trouble sleeping, we’re here to help. Let’s take a look at 3 ways to get better shuteye every night.
Invest in a quality sleeping space
You snooze about one-third of your life away – with so much time spent in bed, make sure it’s spent well. By setting up a comfortable, healthy foundation for ZZZ’s, you can enhance the overall quality of your sleep.
Turn your bedroom into a sanctuary by investing in important sleep aids, such as:
- A high-quality mattress: If you wake up with sore muscles or an aching back, it’s likely you’re sleeping on the wrong mattress. Invest in your sleep.
- A designated pillow: Not all pillows were created the same. If you find your neck is sore in the morning, it’s time to switch up your pillows and rest your head on a better option each night.
- Luxurious bedding: Dress your mattress with comfortable bedding that will help you ease off to lala-land. Your bedding needs may vary by location and preference. Start with soft sheets that will cradle your skin, not irritate it. Consider adding in a lightweight blanket or duvet perfect for warm summer months, and top it off with a weighted blanket, designed to help reduce stress and anxiety via deep touch pressure.
- Body-part specific supports: If you struggle with body pain from injuries or sore muscles, invest in accessories that can help you support your body where it needs it the most. For example, you might check out a shoulder relief pillow to help keep pressure off an aching neck and shoulder.
- Great window treatments: The darker the room, the better your sleep. If alley lights or bright light from the moon stream into your bedroom, invest in heavier window treatments that block light.
Setting up the ideal bed will make bedtime all the more inviting and may encourage your body to settle down more quickly.
Check out natural remedies
If you struggle with insomnia or if day-to-day stress keeps you up late at night, consider checking out natural remedies that may help you drift off to dreamland. Organic remedies avoid harsh and dangerous chemicals; consider adding one of the following to your nighttime routine:
- Essential oils: Diffuse relaxing scents and stock up on essential oils including jasmine, vanilla, and lavender. Proponents of essential oils believe these delicious scents can promote better, more restful sleep.
- CBD: Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is purported to provide many health benefits, and may help you drift off more quickly.
- Herbal teas: Used by health providers for thousands of years, herbal teas can help calm the mind and body, better preparing you for bed.
Tire out your body
Don’t expect a good night’s sleep without putting in some physical work during the day. Exercising vigorously can help you tire out your body – and for many, a good fitness routine also serves as a form of mental therapy.
When you exercise aerobically, the body releases endorphins boost energy levels; once those levels regulate and come back down, your body becomes fatigued. Try to get in your exercise at least 3 hours before bedtime to avoid disrupting your sleep cycle.
Final Notes
In today’s world, getting your mind and body to calm down to achieve peaceful rest can be a challenge. However, the five tips and strategies above can help you sleep sooner, for longer, so that your body and mind are functioning at maximum capacity.
