Everyone knows how badly lack of sleep can affect us. Sometimes we lie in bed at night trying to recharge but we simply can’t. We are left wide awake until it’s late and we only get a few precious hours of slumber if any at all. This makes it harder to wake up in the morning as our body hasn’t had enough time to rest. As we are low on energy, we try to make up for it by overeating. Doing this repeatedly will cause us to gain weight. We get sleepy throughout the day which reduces our productivity at work. We may even get irritable. Prevent all these from happening through the following tips:
Plan Your Meals
Sometimes our eating habits are to blame for our restlessness. Our meals may be too light, thus leaving us hungry just a few hours later. This forces us to wake up and get more calories in. They could also be too heavy, making us feel full to the point of discomfort. It can take a while for everything to settle down. If you tend to do this, make sure that you eat several hours before your intended bedtime to allow for adequate digestion. Don’t lie in bed right away as might not be good for you. Don’t eat something with a lot of sugar in it as you will feel hyper instead of sleepy.
Turn Off the Lights
Our eyes are extremely sensitive to light, especially at night when we are surrounded by darkness. Even a small source can be spotted right away and keep us awake. Note that the presence of blue light also causes us to feel more awake. The indicator lights of appliances on standby may be covered as well, or just turn off those that aren’t needed for good measure. Wear an eye mask if you need to. These are fairly cheap and readily available at most department stores. Or you can just have one delivered from an online shop.
Set Aside Your Gadgets
People should try to stay away from their computers and mobile phones hours before getting in bed. Their screens emit blue light which keeps us awake and causes eye strain. This can be difficult for many as we have become addicted to our gadgets. We use them almost every waking moment to surf the net, play a game, or use an app. Our lives are dependent on them for organization, entertainment, and information. Make sure that there’s a reasonable limit, particularly when it comes to late night use. Set them aside about an hour or two prior to your bedtime and pick up a book instead or listen to relaxing music.
Eliminate Noise Sources
Sometimes the problem lies in the sounds all around us. We can close our eyes but our ears are permanently active. Our ancestors needed them to detect the slightest movement from prey and predator. In our modern world, we don’t need to hunt or worry about being hunted down but we still have the ability to pick up sounds from our environment. We get used to a lot of them so they don’t really bother us like the sound of the wind, the rustling of leaves, and the chirping or birds. However, the sudden noise from an air conditioner and the incessant beeping of a device can be irritating. Do something about them if they are bothering you.
Reduce the Room Temperature
Heat will make us perspire even if we are lying still. It’s hard to fall asleep in a hot room. If you have a cooling system, make sure to set it up such that you will feel cool and comfortable throughout the night. It’s one less thing to worry about and one less reason to toss and turn.
Get a Comfortable Mattress
The last thing you should think about is the bed that you are sleeping on. Perhaps it is this that is causing you discomfort and making sleep a chore. If it is showing its age, giving you hot spots, or having lots of bumps, it might be time to get a replacement. Don’t worry about the cost as you can use mattress coupons – get a discount on the Nectar Sleep Mattress to reduce your expenses.