Sleep may not come easy to all! Lifestyle factors can be causing your sleep disruption and adopting healthy habits can make a difference in a well-rested you.
Most adults need between six and nine hours of sleep every night! Sleep deprivation can cause accidents due to poor judgement and slower reaction time when you are driving, can impair concentration and alertness, can age your skin, can make you gain weight and can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.
Well-rested employees are happier, more productive and alert employees; therefore, it is important to communicate the importance of a restful slumber.
Exercise earlier in the dayIf you are struggling to sleep, exercise is a fantastic way to help you fall asleep quicker, improve the quality of it and the duration. Physical activity helps to reduce stress and tires you out, although working out too closely before bed can over-stimulate the body. Regular exercise can also improve the symptoms of insomnia and sleep apnea.
Ditch the caffeineCaffeine is a stimulant that can keep you awake, so steer clear of coffee, tea, chocolate, coca cola and some pain killers. Caffeine can stay in your system for up to ten to twelve hours after drinking it, so if you are really struggling to sleep try cutting it out of your diet completely.
Slow down on alcoholAlcohol can make you feel tired and as if you were ready to sleep, however, after a couple of hours it will become a stimulant that will increase the number of hours you are awake and the quality of it you have. Try limiting your alcohol intake to one or two glasses a day, and don’t drink too closely to when you intend to go to bed.
Eat lighter mealsEating a pizza late at night is the worst possible idea you could have, as eating heavy meals right before going to bed is bad for your sleep and health. Eat lightly before hitting the sheets and skip spicy, fatty or fried foods.
Get your body in a routineEstablishing a sleep schedule can help to regulate your body’s clock and help you fall asleep for the night. Choose a bedtime and stick to it every night, the more your sleep pattern differs the more it will mess up the cycle so consistency is key.
Avoid screens one to two hours before bedWhen you are getting ready to go to bed, turn down the lights and switch electronic devices off. Stop using all of your devices (smartphones, laptops and TVs) an hour before you go to bed as light slows down the production of melatonin, which is the hormone that helps us sleep. Research has found that people who use their devices before bed take longer to fall asleep.
Don’t nap in the dayWhen you are sleep deprived napping may seem like a solution, however, it can make you sleep pattern worse. It’s all about napping strategically and limiting your nap time to 30 minutes a day maximum, also be careful of not snoozing too close to going to bed.
