Tag Archives: sleepy time

Feb14

11 Effective Solutions To Avoid Sleeping Problems

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11 Effective Solutions To Avoid Sleeping Problems

Have you experienced lying awake at night, wondering why you can’t sleep at all? There are a lot of reasons someone can’t sleep: stress, anxiety, or maybe too much caffeine. Sleep deprivation is common among university students and working young adults due to the stress they deal with every day.

Consistent sleeplessness for days or weeks can be considered as temporary insomnia. Temporary insomnia also occurs in between periods of normal sleep, difficulty falling asleep, or waking up at different periods at night, resulting in poor sleep quality.

There are helpful tools and machines you can buy to promote better sleep and improve your sleep quality. These machines help deal with common sleeping problems or sleep disturbances such as obstructive sleep apnea, sleep-disordered breathing, and snoring. While it is indeed common for younger people to experience insomnia, it can easily be avoided by taking precautions before going to sleep. Here are the steps you can take for a better quality of sleep:

Create an Inviting Aura in Your Bedroom:

Don’t bring stress in your bedroom—remove the clutter and the mess from your sanctuary. Check your mattress as well. Your mattress may be the source of discomfort and may lead to musculoskeletal problems. Set aside sleeping accessories in an organized manner to avoid a messy bedroom.

Avoid Using Your Phone on Your Bed:

Activities like watching TV, scrolling on social media sites, or eating can keep your brain awake. If you want to lull your brain to sleep, stick to pleasure books to avoid binge reading. Stow your collection of books of other genres and stock your bedside table with light-reading books for night reading.

Associate Your Bed with Sleep and Drowsiness:

By reconditioning your brain that your bed is only for sleeping and nothing else, you will be able to get used to falling asleep easily. Do everything you need to do outside the bedroom to avoid remembering things that you need to work on. If you can’t fall asleep after 20 minutes of lying down, get up from your bed, and move to the next room until you feel sleepy.

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Rise and shine!

Implement a Strict Wake and Sleep Cycle:

While it’s common for most young adults to party till 4:00 a.m. during Friday nights, it may affect your sleeping pattern and even the quality of your sleep. By training yourself to sleep and wake up at the same time daily, your body will be able to set its clock properly.

You will feel sleepy at the same time and wake up at the same time as well. Try to avoid staying in bed after waking up; you may fall asleep again and completely ruin your wake and sleep cycle.

Avoid Napping in the Afternoon:

Napping became a habit for most people, especially among students with long breaks between classes. While it does make you feel good, it may actually hurt the schedule you’ve built for your body. Quick napping can also make you fall asleep harder, and extra sleep during weekends can keep you awake for a while.

Try to Avoid Caffeine in the Afternoon and Evening:

Caffeine can be found in coffee and drinks like sodas, tea, and cocoa drinks. Staying hydrated and reducing sugary intake will help you stay awake during work and it’s healthier too!

Consider a Supplement:

If you keep an eye on your diet and health already but find there are still problems with your sleep you may want to consider a supplement. With this in mind, there are supplements that can help you to feel better and sleep deeper. There are supplements like magnesium that have been shown to have a positive impact but there’s also a lot of information out there on CBD oil. You can find more information on https://www.health.com/mind-body/best-cbd-oil to get you started. However, the most important thing to remember with supplements is that they are there to supplement your life rather than to completely solve a problem. Having a supplement in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle is the best combination.

Limit or Avoid Alcohol Intake:

When you drink alcohol before going to bed, it may help you fall asleep easily, but it actually disrupts REM. When the REM is disrupted, you may experience daytime drowsiness and poor concentration.

“Alcohol may seem to be helping you to sleep, as it helps induce sleep, but overall it is more disruptive to sleep, particularly in the second half of the night,” according to researcher Irshaad Ebrahim, a medical director at the London Sleep Centre.

Go for a Quick Exercise during the Day, Not before You Sleep:

Exercise by default is beneficial in many ways: it helps you lose weight, gives you a better mood, and makes you stronger. Exercising also helps improve sleep quality and increases the duration of sleep.

Going for a quick run or lift will help you relieve anxiety and stress, which also contributes to insomnia. Yoga is also effective in promoting sleepiness and calmness after a stressful day.

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Unsplash Image

Eat Healthier and Lighter Meals at Night:

If you tend to snack at midnight, change your dinners to extra lean meat, chicken, or fish dishes instead. Eating spicy food before bedtime is also a no-go: it can cause heartburn and abdominal discomfort at late-night hours.

Do Relaxing Hobbies and Activities before Going to Sleep:

Avoid thinking of anything related to work or school; opt for hobbies like knitting and listening to music. This will help you relax properly.

With today’s stressful news and occurrences around the globe, it’s almost expected for most people to experience insomnia every now and then. With good habits and self-control, however, you will enjoy proper sleep and create a healthy sleeping pattern for yourself.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jan2

The Science Of Sleep: How To Get More Quality Shut-Eye

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The Science Of Sleep: How To Get More Quality Shut-Eye

Imagine regularly engaging in an activity that stops your brain from processing and filing away your days’ experiences. That negatively affects your memory and stress levels and robs your body of much-needed energy. That literally stops your body from repairing itself. Well, science has shown that this is precisely what you are doing if you are denying your body enough sleep. Read on to find out more:

Shift work:

Traditionally, those working in a shift pattern rather than the traditional 9-5 or 8-6, as is more common these days, have had trouble regulating their sleep patterns and getting enough to optimize their health. Of course, with the disadvantage mentioned above, this can be something that can significantly affect both their physical and mental well being and so steps need to be taken to rectify this.

One method that can be helpful, is to identify your own personal sleep rhythm and find work that best fits around this. For example, those that wake naturally later in the day and are often up past midnight may suit working the late shift much better than someone that thrives on being up at the crack of dawn.

Noise disturbance:

Something else that can cause you to get too little sleep is noise disturbance. In fact, there is a significant number of people whose sleep is disturbed by factors, such as traffic, noisy pipes, and even a partner that snores. Each issue needs to be dealt with individually but, the good news, is that there are things that you can do to help.

For instance, those plagued by traffic noise may choose to have their windows triple insulated against the sound or wear earplugs at night. While those kept awake by a partners’ snorting can research into the latest practices such as how fotona laser can treat snoring and will minimize any issue of disturbance. Something that will be a great relief to anyone whose quality of sleep is affected by this issue.

Methods of opening obstructed airways, can not only provide relief to the person kept awake by the snoring but can also make it easier to breathe during the night for the person having the treatment, too. Therefore, allowing them to get a much better and more refreshing night’s sleep as well.

Sleep hygiene:

Lastly, when it comes to the science of sleep, what researchers have recently found is there are all sorts of things that can interfere with your ability to drift naturally off to sleep and stay asleep for the required amount of time. Many of these issues arise from over stimulation of the brain, either from caffeine, sugar, light, and particularly blue light. To that end, many specialists are now recommending a return to a more traditional routine before bed know as sleep hygiene.

This routine cuts out too many stimulating factors and naturally allows our bodies and, most importantly, our minds to relax, decompress, and prepare for sleep in the right manner. Something that has been proven to have a positive effect on both nodding off, and staying asleep for the right amount of time to promote optimum well being.

 

Dec10

Small Steps To Big Changes: Simple Ways To Get Your Health Back On Track

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Small Steps To Big Changes: Simple Ways To Get Your Health Back On Track

We’re approaching that time of year when we start to think about the months ahead. As we near the New Year, many of us will be making resolutions. Often, we take vows and make promises to improve our health and boost our happiness, but many people lose interest in resolutions very quickly. Sometimes, this is due to the fact that we tend to be a little too optimistic when it comes to goal setting. If you’re keen to get your health back on track, the key to success lies in taking small steps. Here are some simple measures that will make a massive difference to your health and well-being:

Adjust your sleep routine:

Are you one of those people that doze off in front of the TV every night and then struggle to get up in the morning? If you’re not getting seven to eight hours of quality sleep on a regular basis, modifying your sleep routine is one of the best ways to improve your mental and physical health. You have an internal clock, and it is possible to get into a routine, which will help you get more sleep. Instead of curling up and nodding off on the sofa, go to bed an hour earlier. Rather than hitting the snooze button, get up at the same time every morning. Your body clock will soon adjust to these new times, and you should find that you’re enjoying better quality sleep, as well as more downtime.

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Catch some Z’s!

Drink more water:

Are you guilty of turning to sodas when you’re thirsty or is your body fueled by coffee? If you don’t drink enough water, this is a really simple resolution to stick to. Aim for two liters of water per day, and carry a bottle around with you so that you can sip and go. If you’re not keen on the taste of water, consider buying sparkling water with a hint of fruit flavor or add sugar-free cordial. Dehydration increases the risk of headaches, muscular pain, fatigue, and dry skin.

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Cheers!

Be more active:

It’s very common for people to go on a fitness drive after the holidays. It’s a brilliant move to try and get into exercise, but often, we try and do too much too soon, and we lose interest and motivation. You don’t have to join the gym and go every single day to get in shape. You can increase your fitness gradually, and you can try a whole host of activities. If you know you don’t enjoy running on a treadmill or spinning, consider joining a sports team or trying classes like boxing, Pilates, or high-intensity interval training.

Aim to work out a couple of times a week, and increase the frequency as you get fitter and stronger. Exercise is often used as a means of shifting festive pounds, but it’s so much more than a weight loss tool. Being active reduces your risk for lots of serious physiological health issues, such as diabetes and heart disease, and it’s also proven to lower the risk of depression, stress, and anxiety.

If you’re on a mission to get your health back on track, start by taking small steps and setting manageable goals and watch yourself succeed!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Nov23

Learning To Love Your Appearance Every Single Day

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Learning To Love Your Appearance Every Single Day

You might have laughed at the title of this post because it’s not possible to love your appearance every single day, right? We all have the occasional “good hair day”, but that’s it. However, there’s no need to be so cynical. There are always going to be days on which you’re not a fan of your hair or you look a little sleepier than usual, but you can learn to love your appearance even when it’s not 100%. It all comes down to improving your mindset. And your mental health is linked to your physical health, so this will help to give your appearance a glow too. Reducing stress can reduce acne, for example, so there’s a clear correlation. Here’s how you can improve your mindset and learn to love your appearance every day:

Facial Beauty:

Let’s start off with your face, because that’s often the main point of focus when it comes to appearance. Many of us are critical of our facial appearance, but this is an aspect of beauty that’s easy to alter. You could start off by trying out microblading if you want to improve your brow game. Eyebrows have become a very important part of facial beauty over recent years, and you might find that changing the shape of your brows changes the appearance of your entire face. You could also try cutting back on foundation; makeup doesn’t always have to be the answer. Giving your skin a break from excessive use of foundation might help to clear up any blemishes, and it’ll make you naturally glow.

Sometimes treatments and makeup aren’t enough to make a drastic change. If you are looking for big improvements, you could find a reputable plastic surgeon to consult with. Looking for something less extreme? How about changing your eye color! Hazel, green, even purple, and blue eye contacts are available to see the whole world through a different set of eye colors!

Fashion:

Fashion is another integral part of loving your appearance every single day. The way you dress has a massive impact on your overall look. If you dress well every day, then you’ll look good every day. It’s as simple as that. But avoid fast fashion; opt for clothes that are timelessly stylish so that they can stay in your wardrobe for years. That being said, if you give away some of your old clothes to charity because they no longer fit or suit you, then there might be an opening in your wardrobe for some new additions. If you want to get inspired, then you should look into some fashionable boutiques which offer modern yet varied options. It’s important that you’re not too restrictive with your choice of style. Fashion should reflect your personality, so have fun with it.

Sleep:

One of the best ways to improve your appearance is to improve your health. The way we look on the outside is a reflection of how well we take care of ourselves. Cutting out unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking can help to improve your skin quality, for instance. You also need to prioritize a healthy sleeping pattern. The term “beauty sleep” is probably nothing new to you, and there’s a lot of substance to this idea. A cup of coffee might make you feel more awake, but does it get rid of the bags under your eyes? No. And that’s because your body is trying to tell you it needs rest. You can’t cut corners when it comes to sleeping well. Sleep deprivation can weaken your immune system, slow your metabolism, and even reduce muscle repair. In other words, your healthy workouts won’t have the impact you want. Start sleeping better if you want your body to improve in appearance. You’ll look and feel good. It’s about more than vanity; it’s about your physical and emotional wellbeing.

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Catch some Z’s!

A strong sense of self confidence can help you get through the toughest of times, so start building up yours little by little with the above tips!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar28

Introducing Sleep Hygiene To Your Life

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Introducing Sleep Hygiene To Your Life

If you’re someone who struggles to get to sleep at night, or you’re the kind of person who lays awake for hours just waiting for sleep to catch up with you, then there’s a good chance that you do not have the best sleep hygiene. This is a relatively new concept that’s been getting a lot of attention recently, with more and more people complaining of insomnia and research into sleep disorders becoming a wide medical field.

If you want to introduce it into your life, because let’s face it, at this point you’ll take anything to make sure you get a good night’s sleep, then here’s some basic tips. It’s important to remember that not everything works for everyone before frustration makes you give up on the entire premise!

Get Relaxed Before Bed:

It’s all well and good that you can fall onto the softest mattress from Sterling Sleep Systems, but you need to get properly relaxed before that to make sure that sleep takes hold of you in the shortest time possible. The best way to do this is to implement a routine for the nighttime that gets your body used to switching off and falling asleep, and gets your brain to remember that sleep is its friend!

Make sure that you’re washing in warm water before you head to the dream world, as a bath or shower can release tension from your muscles and give you a very refreshing feeling. You could also try stretching yourself out before you sleep; yes, a bit of exercise before saying goodnight could help you. Your body doesn’t need to settle into a lethargic position before you fall into a restful slumber, after all.

Keep it Dark:

Your brain needs to focus and only focus on trying to get to sleep, and that means your sleep environment needs to be calm and quiet for you to slumber away in. Making sure it’s dark is a good way to indicate to your open eyes that it’s time to rest. This isn’t something everyone finds relaxing, of course, but you can easily minimize the effect of harsh lighting before you go to sleep by turning off the phone or the TV, or dimming these screens down.

Try Not to Nap:

Everyone needs to nap from time to time, but if you’re taking two to three hour naps in the middle of the day, you’re going to suffer at bedtime. This is because your body doesn’t feel tired due to the extra energy, and let’s face it, you already know this is a problem you have to conquer. If you do need to nap, try to limit the time to 30 minutes, with 20 minutes being the optimum. It can erase the tiredness behind your eyes and really boost your mood, so feel free to take these shorter naps.

Sleep hygiene is quite effective to practice and can make going into the land of nod a lot easier.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb21

How Your Sleeping Position Can Impact Your Health

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How Your Sleeping Position Can Impact Your Health

We all know that getting a good night’s sleep is a vital component of health — but did you know the position you sleep in can also be important? On the surface, this sounds like junk science. After all, if you’re sleeping, that’s the bit that counts, surely? Why does it matter how you sleep, so long as you’re doing it?

Numerous studies have concluded that your sleeping position can indeed influence your health. The downside of this is that many people have a preferred sleeping position, and the idea of trying to sleep differently is very difficult to imagine. It therefore makes sense to know the potential downsides of your preferred sleeping position, so you can take action to mitigate the effects:

Side Sleepers:

The bad news…

  • Side sleepers are the most at-risk group for neck complaints. If you find that you frequently wake up with a sore neck or headache, it’s likely that the body alignment you adopt while sleeping on your side is to blame. Invest in a pillow that is specifically designed to adapt to the curve of your neck, so you are thoroughly supported throughout the night.
  • Side sleepers are also at risk of back and hip problems, again due to the alignment of your body while sleeping. As you can see on this Lull Bed review, side sleepers have been found to enjoy mattresses that conform to their body shape, so keep this in mind when you’re purchasing a mattress.

The good news…

  • Studies have shown that sleeping on your left side can reduce acid reflux for those suffering from GERD.

Back Sleepers:

The bad news…

  • Sleeping on your back does not mean you will necessarily develop a condition called sleep apnea, but sleep apnea sufferers who sleep on their back will definitely exacerbate the condition. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes people to stop breathing during sleep; this is usually only momentary and happens without conscious awareness in most cases. If you do have sleep apnea, avoid sleeping on your back to help prevent attacks. You should also be utilizing cpap cleaning machines to keep your cpap sanitary and keeping your doctor updated on any changes to your condition.
  • Back sleepers are also more likely to snore than those who sleep in other positions, which can cause issues with dry mouth and throat pain.

The good news…

  • Sleeping on your back ensures your spine is always in alignment with the rest of your body, so back sleepers are the least likely to experience aches and pains caused by their sleep habits.

Front Sleepers:

The bad news…

  • Lower back pain is a real risk for front sleepers, as your body is forced to flatten unnaturally. Try sleeping with a pillow under your abdomen to mitigate this.
  • Neck pain is also common for front sleepers. Most specialists recommend using pillows to train yourself to sleep on your side, as front sleeping is generally considered to be the worst sleeping position.

The good news…

  • Snoring is less common in front sleepers.

In conclusion:

Now that you know how to prevent any issues caused by your sleeping position, you can make a few changes and ensure that your sleep is always as beneficial and restorative as it should be.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan14

Penguin Pajama Party: Isaac Mizrahi Edition

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Penguin Pajama Party: Isaac Mizrahi Edition

Hola! One of my favorite things to treat myself to is pajamas. They are fairly cheap, they’re cute, comfy, and make going to bed even more fun than it already is. TJMaxx always has a wonderful selection of PJs to hit the hay in, including this darling pair of sleep bottoms that I got for TEN BUCKS! Take a look:

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One of my favorite animals (Besides for peacocks, dogs, and bunnies!) is the penguin. They are so cute and look so cuddly and I love the way that their little bodies waddle when they walk. So, of course, I had to get these PJ bottoms when I saw them, because nothing is more precious than penguins dressed up in winter accessories!

I love the soft taupe of the background color and I am especially partial to the little guy in the second picture in the bottom left corner who is decked out in a green hat and red scarf. His wittle flippers are out and he looks like he’s having a ball. The penguins in glasses are also pretty adorable, too. They all are! 😀

What is your favorite animal? Who else is an avid pajama lover? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec21

3 Thoughts Everyone Has On Christmas Day

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3 Thoughts Everyone Has On Christmas Day

The big day is nearly upon us, a day that many of us have been counting down to for the last three months. Some of us have even been counting down for the past 12 months, such is our joy of Christmas and the festive fun and celebrations that it brings. Christmas is inherently unifying, and despite celebrating in many different ways, we can all find ourselves thinking surprisingly similar thoughts on Christmas Day itself. Which of these do you recognize?

“Can I sleep more?”

Christmas Day, without exception, makes everyone feel exhausted — even if you hadn’t done much. A quick pre-dinner nap is an essential… and an after-dinner one, too, if you can sneak it. It’s undeniable; for most of us, Christmas is about two things: sleeping and celebrating.

“I can’t possibly eat anything more.”

This is then usually followed by: “oh yes, turns out I can”. Christmas Day is a day of gluttony, the one day of the year where it’s possible to just kick back and relax. The word “calorie” doesn’t even enter our vocabulary. So we’re merry as can be, our stomachs are full, and then someone offers us a slice of chocolate orange and suddenly we find our appetite again.

“When are we watching a movie?”

What would Christmas Day be without a festive movie or two? It’s the perfect way to unwind after a big meal, so make sure you plan what you’re sitting down to. Do you prefer to stick to an old favorite or would you opt for this fantasy movie idea?


Infographic Design By Sunny

Nov9

The End Of Insomnia: Putting A Stop To Sleepless Nights

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The End Of Insomnia: Putting A Stop To Sleepless Nights

It is estimated that up to 60 million Americans experience insomnia each year. If you’re familiar with lying awake watching the clock tick by painfully slowly in the early hours, you’re not alone. Although insomnia is a common problem, this doesn’t make it any less serious. The reality is, that we need sleep. Without it, there’s a risk of physical and mental health complications. If you can’t sleep and you long to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and invigorated, hopefully this guide will prove helpful:

Setting Your Body Clock:

Many of us make the mistake of trying to catch up on sleep by napping during the day or getting up later the morning after. While this may provide temporary relief, in the long-term, it can actually exacerbate the symptoms of insomnia. Your body has an internal clock, and if you’re sleeping at all hours of the day, that clock is going to be off kilter. Try and establish a routine, which means that you go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on the weekends. Your body will get used to this new pattern, and hopefully, you’ll find that it is easier to doze off and get up in the morning. If you lose track of time very easily and you tend to fall asleep on the sofa, set an alarm or use an app to remind you to go to bed.

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 Sleepy time!

Seeing Your Doctor:

If you can’t sleep on a regular basis and you can’t even remember when you last had a good night’s sleep, consider making an appointment with your doctor. If you miss out on sleep, it can have a negative impact on your health and your mental well being. People who sleep well are proven to have a lower risk of stress, anxiety, and depression and they tend to have better immunity and higher energy levels. When you see your doctor, they may recommend making some changes to your lifestyle and also your sleeping environment.

In more severe cases, they may advise you to take medication. When you pick up your prescription, read the instructions carefully. If you develop side-effects, this may be a result of taking the wrong dosage, or it may be your body’s reaction to a new medication. If you’re worried about the dosage, speak to your doctor. If you have been advised incorrectly, you may wish to consider taking legal action and seek an expert for your malpractice claim. In many cases, side-effects occur as a natural response to medication, and it is sometimes possible to switch to other drugs that may not have the same impact.

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 #earlytobed #earlytorise

Exercising:

Exercising has multiple benefits for people who struggle to sleep. Exercise tires the body out, but it also has powerful stress and anxiety relieving properties. When you’re worried about something or you feel like you’re under pressure, this can make it really difficult to switch off at night. If you can clear your mind and relax before you get into bed, this is going to improve your sleep quality enormously. Activities that are particularly beneficial for relaxation include yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, swimming, walking, team sports, and kickboxing. insom2.png

 Get your yoga on before bed!

Leaving Work At The Office:

Do you check emails in bed or spend hours thinking about what you’ve got to do tomorrow? It’s easier said than done, but leaving work at the office is so important. Nobody is capable of working twenty-four hours a day, and it’s vital to have a healthy work/life balance. You need downtime to recover, rest, and relax. When you get home, don’t start looking at your inbox and focus on enjoying the evening. If you get a good night’s sleep, you’ll work much more efficiently the next day. Read a book, chat with your friends, watch TV, and just chill out.

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No more checking your phone before bed!

Are sleepless nights taking their toll on you? If you’re not getting enough sleep, the sooner you make changes, the better. Try and adapt your routine to ensure that you go to bed and wake up at the same time each day and aim to incorporate exercise sessions and time to wind down and relax into your daily regime. If you’ve made changes, but you still can’t sleep, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. There are treatments out there that can help you tackle insomnia and get the rest you need.

Oct2

Why You Can’t Get To Sleep At Night

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Why You Can’t Get To Sleep At Night

Sleep is incredibly important for your mental and physical well-being. Some health professionals have even gone so far as to say that getting an adequate night’s sleep is as important as a well-balanced diet. For this reason, if you are struggling to get a decent night’s sleep, you need to come up with some ideas as to why, and try to combat them. Here are some of the most common:

You’ve Slept In: Lots of people stay up late one night and then sleep in the morning after to make up for it. It makes sense to do this, but unfortunately, it’s the reason why you can’t sleep now. Doing this throws off your body clock, and makes it harder to fall asleep again at night, as your body is now programmed to go to sleep at a later time. The most obvious remedy to this is to not have late nights, but I know that isn’t always possible. Instead, ensure that you don’t sleep in more than an hour later than you usually do, and have a short 20 to 30 minute nap in the afternoon if you start to feel tired. Just make sure that it’s no more than 20 to 30 minutes, otherwise, you will still be wide awake in the evening, and be back to your original issue.

You Need A New Mattress: If your mattress is lumpy and uncomfortable, then it’s understandable that you can’t fall asleep on it. You should aim to replace your mattress every 8 to 10 years, depending on how comfortable and supportive it is, but you can replace it sooner or later than that depending on its state. Even if you only got a new mattress a few years ago, you might still need to get a new one, depending on your own preference. If you have back pain, for example, you might want to invest in a specialty back pain mattress to help you sleep more soundly at night.

A mattress is an important purchase – you’re going to be sleeping on it every night! Definitely shop around and gather more information as needed when considering your options. When shopping for a mattress, think about what you need to get a good night’s sleep. Do you prefer something with cooling properties? An extra firm mattress? Or maybe something that works better for your body type, whether that’s exploring the best mattresses and the best beds for heavy people or seeking options tailored to those with back pain to find your ideal fit. Everyone has different preferences so a mattress a friend recommends might not work for you.

You’re Worried About Something: If you’ve had a particularly tricky day at work or have had an argument with a loved one, it’s often when you’re trying to sleep that these thoughts creep up on you. It may be hard to control our thoughts when we’re wide awake and alert, but it’s even harder when we’re slowly drifting in and out of consciousness. Although you can drift in and out of sleep while worried, it certainly doesn’t feel like you’re sleeping, so you wake up feeling as if you haven’t slept at all. If you’re feeling worried or anxious while you’re trying to sleep, you should keep the lights off, but go to another place in your house for a little while. This stops you from associating your bed with your anxieties and difficulty sleeping.

You’re Hungry: If you go to bed while you’re still hungry, you are never going to have a decent night’s sleep. Hunger pangs are sure to wake you up, that’s if the sound of your stomach growling doesn’t first. To avoid this, you should have a snack before you go to bed. You should opt for something high in protein, as this often makes us feel fuller than fat or carbohydrates. Something like a hard-boiled egg will do the trick and keep you from going to bed growling.

You Can See Light: Although some children, and even adults, struggle to sleep without some sort of light on, whether this is a small night light, a lamp, or the main light in your bedroom, it’s unlikely that they have a fulfilling sleep. This is because even the smallest amounts of light can pierce your retina, and send signals to your brain to keep you awake. Even the tiny light on your TV or DVD player can cause issues. The easiest way to combat this is to make sure that there is no light on in your room. Even the streetlights outside could be keeping you awake, so be sure to buy blackout curtains or blinds. You could even buy an eye mask to block out any light sources that you can’t control so that your brain knows that it really is night time.

There is a whole variety of reasons that you may not be able to sleep at night, so if none of these are right, then there is always something else that you can try. Sleep deprivation is a serious issue, so if you’re not getting any sleep for days in a row, be sure to visit your doctor and ask for some advice. sleepyy1

Zzzzzzz

Featured Image By: Flickr