The start of the new academic year is the genesis of many schedules. Balancing homework, sports, classes, and a social life is legendarily complicated, but in order to be able to do any of that, your body needs proper care! For many, being overinvolved and having a lot on your mind can exacerbate symptoms of insomnia, especially for those that are already inclined towards the struggle to sleep for one reason or another. There are certain practices simple enough to fit into any day that might help with the improvement of sleep scheduling and getting enough rest to power through this year’s impending stresses!
Cut the Caffeine Fix
As an avid lover of all things coffee bean, this is difficult to advise and even more difficult to follow. A cup or two of caffeine-centric beverages in the morning is probably fine, as the primary goal is to be able to function to the best and most productive state of one's own ability. My general rule, if I’m seeking a solid night’s sleep, is to avoid high levels of caffeine consumption after one pm.
Avoid Doing Work in Bed
Save your bed as a relaxation only space! It’s been proven that the less you try to accomplish in the comfort of your own mattress, the easier it is to make yourself at home and unwind at the end of a day and set your brain into sleep mode.
Trigger Your ASMR
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response is a goldmine for relaxation, and is slowly gaining popularity amongst stressed out millennials. If you haven’t heard of these magical audio induced head tingles, try looking into it to catch some Z’s. Set your device to night mode while streaming ASMR to even further your mental zoning for sleep!
Get Some Exercise
It doesn’t have to be a marathon! Try to fit some form of calorie burning into your daily routine. Even if it's taking the extra couple flights of stairs rather than the elevator, or taking the long way home, getting in an extra couple of steps a day not only boosts your health, but also makes your body more receptive to rest.
Resist Napping…
If you’ve been having trouble sleeping, the urge toward nocturnal tendencies skyrockets. If you feel you can, then leave the nap out for an afternoon so that you preserve the feeling of sleepiness for night time.
...Or Don’t
If your sleep is too irregular, you may need to reset your sleep schedule. Get a couple hours in to avoid pure exhaustion and soak up the small bits of rest that you can. Eventually it will even you out.
