How To Get A Great Night's Sleep
I had trouble sleeping for about 8 years, and studies show that I’m not alone in this: apparently 50% of people in the UK are not getting enough sleep according to recent studies. Lack of sleep can lead to all kinds of problems, from poor performance at work to serious health issues, such as depression and diabetes. Speaking from experience, there are several tips I know that I have found very helpful:
1. Get into a regular night time routine. Start a habit of going to bed at the same time and getting up at a regular time every day. I found this very hard to start off with as I found myself awake until half an hour before my alarm went off, which made it very hard to get out of bed. Stick with it though as your body will soon get the message that it can only sleep between those hours, and it will adapt accordingly.
2. If you are struggling with tiredness, a short nap in the afternoon can be very helpful. However, make sure this is no longer than half an hour as sleeping for longer can lead you going into a deep sleep that will further disrupt your sleep patterns and will leave you feeling more tired than you did to start with.
3. Organise your bedroom to create a calm and tranquil room. If your mind is stimulated by your surroundings you will find it hard to sleep. Make sure the bedroom is a place to relax – remove any televisions, gadgets or work areas you may have so that your mind will always associate your bedroom with resting, not being up and awake.
4. Ensure that you have a good mattress. If you cannot get comfortable then how can you get a good night’s sleep? It may seem an obvious point but I have been very surprised at how many people I know overlook this. Consider memory foam and pocket sprung mattresses, especially if you suffer from back problems - click here for the benefits of pocket spring mattresses article. I take my memory foam pillow with me when I go away now as it has worked wonders with my sleep. See our beds department here for quality mattresses and bed frames - Address72 Beds Department
5. Be careful what you eat and drink close to your bed time. Having a heavy meal before bed can prevent you from sleeping well as your body breaks it down. If you are hungry before bed, try a small snack of carbohydrates such as bread or cereal, as breaking this down can actually assist your body in sleeping. Obviously drinking caffeine before trying to sleep should be avoided at all times (decaffeinated teas and coffees are fine). Also, be careful when it comes to alcohol as it can make you restless and affect your sleeping patterns.
Article by Rebecca, Address72 Team
