Do you always wake up tired? Sleep restlessly throughout the night? Or struggle to fall asleep to begin with?
Sleep is an essential part of life which allows the body and brain to rest and regenerate to survive a new day. Without proper sleep we are not able to function properly, often feeling tired and sluggish throughout the day.. When you’re not sleeping properly, it can impact your mood, mental health, physical health, ability to show up to work and be productive. It is recommended that adults sleep for around 7 to 9 hours every night, however this is not always achievable.
Make sleep a priority:
We often underestimate how important sleep is to our general well being and fall asleep too close to when we need to wake up. Instead, try to actively be aware of when we need to hop into bed in order to sleep well each night.
Limit screen-time and stress before bed:
Often we like to cram as much in a day as we can, causing us to finish work or school work well into the night. This doesn’t allow us time to relax and switch off before hopping into bed, making it harder to fall asleep.
Optimise feeling awake during the day:
Sunlight causes the release of cortisol which wakes you up and helps to regulate your wake-sleep cycle.
Avoid napping, excess caffeine, eating too late in the night or doing work in bed, as these can interrupt your sleep patterns.
Relaxation:
If you struggle to fall asleep, it may be helpful to try relaxation techniques to prepare yourself for bedtime. These include meditation, slow breathing techniques, mindfulness and stretching.
Following these tips can help you to improve your quality and amount of sleep.
Find more of our health tips here https://simplyhealthandwellness.com.au/health-tips/
Sources:
(1) Suni, E. 2020. Healthy sleep tips, Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/healthy-sleep-tips Date accessed: 27/08/2020