Are you robbed of rest and tired of being tired? Welcome to the club! The average person sleeps one third of his/her life. However, many of us suffer from lack of sleep or interrupted sleep. With the grueling tasks of day to day life, and poor sleep habits many of us are barely functioning. I find that many days I feel like the walking dead a mere fraction of who I want to be. Humans must sleep to maintain normal levels of cognitive function. During sleep, the body repairs itself so that when the alarm clock goes off, our bodies are renewed and refreshed.
- Establish a Bedtime routine.
I know this seems somewhat cliché but creating a bedtime routine is very helpful. I have found that Pinterest has a number of great ideas for bedtime routines. My bedtime routine use to consist of straightening the bed (I make my bed now), jumping on social media, and binge watching shows. I would tell myself that it was relaxing and I needed to decompress before I sleep. However, I was not sleeping soundly and I was still tired the next day. Hence waking up in a zombie state and dreading the day. Now I am off to La La Land no later than 11pm. Find a routine that works for you it is a serious life changer!
- Create a comfortable environment
Do I need to remind you that we spend one third of our lives in bed? I use to think that linens were not very important. Then I got my first memory foam pillow and set of high quality sheets. I encourage you to get linens that are high quality. This is not an area that you want to skimp on. Treat yourself to some luxurious sheets and a good pillow. Not only will it create a great escape for exceptional sleep, but it will likely bring a little romance back into the bedroom. SAVE 40% on luxurious linens use Promo Code:NewIslander Learn More
- Brain Dump
I heard the term brain dump at a work seminar I attended. I know everyone says to journal but that was not really my thing. However, when someone described a Brain Dump I was immediately intrigued. Basically you write down everything that is on your mind. Whatever you are worrying about or obsessing over. The things that make you wake up in the middle of the night or leave your mind racing when you are trying to fall asleep. We all suffer from stress and anxiety, but we have to figure out a healthy way to deal with life’s challenges. I love the saying “Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” I find that the brain dump gives me clarity and a peace of mind.
- Ditch Technology before Bed
Technology robs us of rest it is time to unplug while you sleep. Turn off TV, cell phones, and tablets at least 30 minutes before going to sleep. This will give you time to implement your bedtime routine. I know it seems drastic But I decided to cancel my cable. It eliminates the temptation of mindlessly watching television shows I would not normally watch. Now I brain dump and read more. I am living life rather than watching it. Using a technology before bed stimulates the brain creating a more alert state making it difficult to fall asleep.
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Try Muscle Relaxation
There are a number of stretches you can do in bed or on the floor to prepare for a restful slumber. I love to do bedtime yoga. You can do a number of great stretches while you are in bed, or in the bedroom. This is a great way to loosen your muscles after a long day. If you are on the computer all day do some neck and shoulder stretches. This will also help relieve stress and anxiety.
Sleep is essential for brain development and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Tossing and turning all night can affect judgment, productivity, and the ability to retain information the next day. Over time, it can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and—of course—a chronic attitude problem. I have found that the following tips have helped improve my sleep. I wake up rested, rejuvenated, and excited about the day. Before I would wake up with the attitude I can’t wait for this day to be over so I can go back to bed. That is no way to LIVE! I am well aware that every day is a gift and I need to treat it that way. I am in control and a few tweaks to my daily routine make all of the difference in creating a happy healthy lifestyle.
We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep. -William Shakespeare
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