If you have trouble sleeping or feel like you are always tired no matter how much you actually sleep… welcome to the club. Sleeping problems are one of modern life’s staples and it’s taking a toll on all of our bodies and minds. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be like this forever. Follow these steps to finally get some well-deserved rest.
1. Find out how much you should sleep – The “8 hours of sleep” rule is not as universal as you might think. As we grow older, we actually require less and less sleep. While a newborn will happily snooze through 19 hours of the day, an elderly person will probably be fine with only 5. Teenagers typically need 8-10 hours of sleep, while adults do better with 7-9 hours, although some can function perfectly with 6 hours of sleep. Figure out what are your sleep needs and be careful not to oversleep, as you might feel with less energy.
2. Set your alarm wisely – If you are getting enough hours of sleep but still feel groggy and tired in the morning, the reason might be that your alarm clock is interrupting your sleep cycle. A sleep cycle usually takes around 90 minutes to complete, so take that into account when setting up your alarm. If you wake up naturally before the alarm, resist the urge to go back to sleep and get up, as falling asleep again will make your alarm interrupt your next cycle and you will actually feel more tired.
3. Screens out! – The blue-ish light from all our gadgets actually mess up with our brains’ sleep patterns. Turn off all your electronic devices at least 30 minutes before you go to bed. Pass the time reading a good book that will relax your mind and make you forget about the day’s stress and anxieties.
4. Beware of the sneaky caffeine – You are probably not chugging on a double espresso right before you go to bed, but that doesn’t mean caffeine is not interrupting your sleep. It actually takes your body an average of six hours to get completely rid of the substance, so you need to quit your coffee earlier in the afternoon. Avoid sodas, teas and other caffeinated beverages too. Replace your nightly cup of tea with a glass of warm milk. Yes, your grandma was right. Milk contains an amino-acid that helps your produce serotonin and melatonin, the hormones that control your sleep cycles.
5. Get your pets out of your bed – This one is hard to do because who doesn’t love their furry noses and paws? As cute as pets are, the truth is that 70% of people actually sleep worse when sharing a bed with their pets. Get Fido and Mr. Mittens their own little bed and relax on your own space. Sweet dreams!
The post 5 Steps To Get A Good Night’s Sleep appeared first on Wanna Know Video.