Healthy Living – The Recipe to a Good Night’s Sleep
Good quality sleep is important. When your mind and body are well rested, you can retain the focus and direction that you need to push forwards. If you are not getting a good night’s sleep, you can find it can slow you down and have an impact on your mood and well-being too. The recipe for a good night’s sleep includes ingredients such as cutting down on caffeine and limiting screen time.
Why Good Sleep Is Important
Before changing your nighttime routine, you must realize just why good sleep is so important. When you realize this, you then have the focus and dedication to get the sleep your body requires. Good sleep is important for your physical health and well-being, as well as your mental health and well-being. Sleep allows you to be fresh and alert the next day, and it allows you to make rational decisions. These decisions will help you choose better foods and make better decisions throughout the day.
Eating Before Sleep
There may be times when you feel a little hungry before you go to bed. If you are eating before you go to sleep, it is important to remember not to have large portions or heavy foods, as these can lie heavy on your stomach. Heavy meals and foods can be difficult to process while you are relaxing and drifting off to sleep. When you eat before sleeping, you can feel heavier and more lethargic when you wake up.
A Comfortable Bed
The pillows that you lay your head on and the mattress that you lie on must be comfortable. If you are not comfortable when you are going to bed, you will struggle to sleep as well as you can. Establishing what level of comfort you want to go for will require a bit of trial and error on your part. It may mean that you test out firmer mattresses, or memory foam pillows that provide back and neck support. When your bed is comfortable, you will find you have no trouble drifting off to sleep.
Reducing the Caffeine, You Consume
Caffeine is often found in a lot of items that you consume. It can be found in processed foods, tea, coffee and, of course, chocolate. If you are consuming caffeine before bed, then you risk keeping yourself awake and alert. Experiencing a caffeine high may last for moments or minutes. When you are riding this wave, it will be difficult to switch off, rest and relax.
Cutting Down on Screentime
How many times a day are you checking your phone or tablet? Do you find that the amount of screen time you have before bed is too much? Even if you are using a device with a blue light or blue screen, you will still find it will keep you awake. The addiction to checking your updates or emails could come in between you and a good night’s rest. Limit screen time before bed and give your body and mind a chance to unwind and switch off (as best as they can).