15 Simple Things To Do To Get A Better Night Sleep
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

15 Simple Things To Do To Get A Better Night Sleep

Your phone doesn't need to be your new teddy bear.

132
15 Simple Things To Do To Get A Better Night Sleep

As a college student, I know the struggles of sleep and finding a way to busy myself so I don't fall asleep in a lecture. It's hard to get a good night sleep when there's so much to worry about and deadlines hanging over your head, especially in midterms and finals weeks.


media.giphy.com


But here are a few things that I have found to help me that I can still manage as a college student with a job as well. Hopefully, my night time habits will help you out as well and help you to wake up more refreshed and ready to take on the day without those 12 cups of coffee.

1. Make your bed before crawling in

Giphy

I don't know about everyone else but when I climb into bed and my blankets are already messy I can't seem to get comfortable. Even if you don't tuck everything snugly, its still much more nicer climbing into a nicely made bed.

2. Put down the phone

media.giphy.com

It's a well know fact that blue light kills sleep hormones! So listen to the scientists and doctors or whoever! Plug your phone in to charge and lay it face down across the room.

Trust me, it helps a lot. Your phone doesn't need to be your new teddy bear and you'll survive not looking at Facebook for an hour or more before you finally go to sleep.

3. Stop napping!!

Giphy

A 20 minute power nap once or maybe twice a day, but long naps are not good for a good nights sleep. Too short a nap is not good either, both will only make you more tired, causing you to want to take another nap.

4. Snuggle a pillow 

media.giphy.com

This can help in so many ways whether its a pillow, significant other, or stuffed animal. Finding a comfy position is hard, but wrapping your arms and legs around a pillow is a given comfy position. It can also help with any back pain!

5. Cover or turn away digital alarm clock

Giphy

No need to destroy it. But the light of the numbers can keep you up and when you're already having a hard time getting some sleep, who doesn't constantly check the clock? Avoid reckless sleeping by not giving yourself the choice to keep looking at it.

6. Find a pillow that's just right.

media.giphy.com

The right pillow makes a big difference! Too fluffy of a pillow isn't good for your neck and to flat a pillow isn't good either. If you sleep on your side make sure that your nose is lined up with your spine!

7. Try to set a schedule. 

media.giphy.com

I know its hard as a student when you have something due at midnight that you've procrastinated on all day and you have to get up for an early class. But it's easy to set an 11 o'clock bed time for yourself by convincing yourself the assignment is due at 10:59 instead.

Then take the earliest time you ever have to get up, even if it's 6:00 am for a work shift, and start trying to get up at that time. It sounds rough but it makes for a better night sleep if you can set your body clock.

8. No more mid-day caffiene

Giphy

And this doesn't just mean coffee, it means CAFFEINE. A cup of coffee in the morning is just fine but try to avoid caffeine the rest of the day because believe it or not it affects how you sleep at night. That includes even the small amounts in chocolate.

9. Don't eat heavy before bed

Giphy

Don't eat your dinner right before you go to bed. If you get hungry between dinner and bed time, then eat a light snack, nothing too heavy or you'll overload your digestive system.

10. Don't consume too much alcohol before bed

Giphy

Not only will you wake up with a nasty hangover but it may also make for restless sleep. A serving size of wine is just fine but too much can keep you up.

11. Think before you drink

Giphy

This time, I'm not talking alcohol. If you want to lower the odds of having to take a midnight bathroom break, don't drink anything within two hours of bed time.

12. Dim the lights

Giphy

Dim them around your home 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. Lower light levels signal your brain to make melatonin, the hormone that brings on sleep.

13. Save the bed for sleep 

media.giphy.com

Don't be on the computer doing homework or other stuff, there are desks, tables, and couches for that. The bed should be like a place where you can curl up whether alone or with another. So save the bed for sleep and sex.

14. Remember: beds are for people.

media.giphy.com

I know they're your little fuzzball but as most pet owners know, its hard to disturb your sleeping fur baby. This causes you to have to find a position that works for them but maybe not for you, causing the uncomfortable position to cost you sleep.

Snuggling up with your pup or kitty may sound appealing but they really have no concept of personal space or how much space to allow you. And you'll go to bed so worried about disturbing them that you'll do everything in your power not to, causing you to be stressed and stiffen up, both not good for those extra Zs.

15. Free your mind

Giphy

As I mentioned above, stress is not good for sleep. Once you crawl into bed, take a deep breath and think only happy thoughts. Forget about all you have to do and what you should be doing now. Just let everything go, and sleep.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

70984
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132545
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments