We are all short pressed for time nowadays, and that usually translates into taking hours away from sleeping. One of my absolute favorite things to do is sleep, and I hate that I don’t get at least 10 hours a night here at school.
My quest to find these 10 hours of sleep a night has failed, but I have found ways to get better sleep even with a limited number of hours. We need all the sleep we can get around here -- not only for our brains and our bodies, but for our sanity as well.
Here is how to go to sleep faster and better. Happy snoozing!
1. Take a shower right before bed. Science has proven that taking a shower before bed helps lower your core body temperature. This means that it’s easier for you to fall asleep and snuggle up in your blankets.
2. Stop watching TV an hour before you go to bed. This really should be any sort of screen time. Computers are incredibly stimulating and get your brain in a flurry of activity. I for one loved watching TV as I fell asleep, but since I stopped, I fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.
3. Avoid caffeinated beverages at least 6 hours prior. I know this sounds simple enough, but having a soda at dinner can get you hyped up and last long after you try to fall asleep.
4. Make sure your room is dark. Blocking out light helps signal your brain that it is time to sleep. Make sure electrical devices are off too!
5. Keep your room cool. This goes back to the core body temperature thing. A bedroom that is too hot will make your sleep restless.
6.Make your bed your sleep place. Avoid doing work on your bed. I know it’s difficult not doing your work on your bed, but your brain will begin to associate your bed as your “work place” and not your “sleep place,” causing you to stay awake longer.
7.Try and set a time to go to bed for every night/ wake up at the same time. This helps your body get into a routine for sleep.
8.Avoid eating right before bed. With your stomach focusing on digesting food, this keeps you up.
9.Don’t stress yourself out about sleeping. “If I fall asleep now, I’ll get 7 hours of sleep.” This almost never happens -- you cannot command your body to sleep when you want. Instead, focus on relaxing in your bed. Sleep will come, I promise.
10.Make sleep a priority. Sleep is one of the most important processes your body goes through. While science has only little hints as to why it is so important, make sure you are putting sleep on the front burner in order to stay healthy and refreshed for what the day brings.
