How To Get A Good Night Sleep

We all know how it feels. That dreaded alarm clock going off in the morning letting us know that we need to get up and go to work. How you feel when you wake up in the morning, whether it be refreshed or tired, is a reflection on how well you slept. In this article, I am going to get into a few important sleep tips which will help you get through everyday feeling awake, alert, and energetic, instead of tired, groggy, and unmotivated.

Set a Sleep Schedule And Stick To It

One of the most important ways to get a good night of sleep is to get in sync with your body’s sleep-wake cycle, also known as your circadian rhythm. You should be going to bed at the same time every night, and also waking up at the same time each morning. This goes for weekends as well. Once you get a routine down, you should be waking up everyday feeling much more refreshed.

Quit The Nicotine Addiction

As if you needed another reason? Studies show that smokers are four times more likely not to feel as well rested after a night of sleep as non-smokers. Smoking also exacerbates sleep apnea and other breathing disorders which prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. Nicotine is also a stimulant, like caffeine, it will prevent you from falling asleep.

Keep Your Bedroom Cool

Experts recommend keeping your bedroom thermostat between 65 and 75 degrees. Now if I could afford to keep my house at 65 degrees every night I would gladly do it. Unfortunately, my electric bill would be through the roof. It is however important to keep your bedroom temperature somewhere between these guidelines. Getting into some cool sheets triggers a drop in your body temperature, which then signals the body to produce melatonin, which induces sleep.

Consider Kicking Out The Family Pet

Okay, I’m not sure why I am even suggesting this, as even I have trouble doing this. We all love our pets, whether cats or dogs, both become a part of our life almost like one of our children. They want to be around us any chance they get.

I know if I leave 5 inches of my chair free that I am sitting in, my dog will somehow sneak onto the chair as if I don’t notice him or something. What you do need to consider, is letting your dog or cat sleep in their own beds at night instead of yours.

A dog or a cat waking up in the middle of the night to scratch or adjust can also mean you waking up in the middle of the night, which is not ideal when you are trying to get a good night’s sleep.

Reserve Your Bed For Sleep

If you use your bed for things such as work or getting errands done then you will find it harder to fall asleep at night. Use your bed for what it is meant for. This way when you get into bed every night your body is ready to go to sleep, which is also another great way to tire yourself out and fall asleep.

Do What Works Best For You

In the end, these tips will go as far as you choose to take them.  What you need to do is figure out a sleep schedule that works for you. Once you find yourself going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time each morning, you will find that the day is much easier to get through.

Everything in life is much more enjoyable when we are alert and energetic, so make sure that you do all you can each and every night to get the best night’s sleep that you can!