If there is one thing that seems to be scarcer than time, it is probably sleep. In fact, more people than you would imagine are currently sleep deprived, mainly owing to work and personal responsibilities. Needless to say, this is not an ideal state of affairs, and though more and more attention is being drawn to this problem, we still have a long way to go. Sleep is a precious commodity, one that we need to pay more attention to, primarily because it is essential for our complete health and well-being. For both mental and physical health benefits, sleep is integral, so skimping on it is not exactly the way to go. But, good sleep is more attainable than you think, you just need to make a few lifestyle changes.
Set Up a Routine
Do you remember how you were put to bed as children and how you had to be tucked in every night at the same time following a bedtime routine? And do you remember how good you felt in the morning because you were well-rested and energized to take on the world? Well, we need to go back to basics and incorporate that once more. As we grow older and become adults, we tend to be less organized and disciplined, which is a shame. This routine is what helps us establish a rhythm or a pattern so to speak. Try it again. Set up a bedtime routine starting today, and stick to it. Your body will eventually pick up on the signals and automatically start winding down accordingly.
Exercise
Believe it or not, exercise can help regulate your sleep patterns accordingly. Of course, a king mattress does not hurt either, but exercising is also good for so much more. Your body needs to work-out and be active. Whilst vigorous exercise is usually recommended for this sort of thing, even light exercise is fine. Definitely better than not exercising at all! You can of course exercise at a time convenient to you, though we do recommend in the morning so you will not be distracted by other things that crop up during the day. Jogging and exercising at your local park is more than good enough, so do try to get that in at the end of the day.
Set Up a Calming Bedroom
The next important thing is to set your room up accordingly. Your bedroom should be a haven, calm and relaxing. It does not have to be decked out in luxury or satin sheets to achieve the same effect. All you need to do is come up with a colour scheme, and think about what you would like to put up. We recommend steering clear of a television, mainly because such devices emit an artificial light that messes with our body’s circadian or natural rhythm. This in turn messes with our sleep. Instead, think soft music, reading and just meditating.
Be Mindful Of Your Diet
What you consume just before bed definitely has an impact on how well you sleep, and steering clear of caffeine in every form is an important part of this. Aside from this though, you need to be watchful of what you eat everyday. This does not mean you have to count calories or think before eating something every single time since that is just taking the fun out of life, but if you think that certain foods are adversely affecting you, note them down. Maintain a food diary if it helps.