During these dates, falling asleep seems to be, for many, a daunting and difficult task to carry out. Now, the Harvard Medical School (USA) has revealed a series of tips to achieve a peaceful sleep every night ( insomnia included), essential for our body to be healthy and energized to face any task the next day.
If you are one of those people who are asleep shortly after going to bed, it is difficult to understand what happens if, suddenly, you start having sleep problems. This article will help you identify small changes you can make to have a good night's sleep.
You may be concerned if you are not able to fall asleep and get a good night's sleep, but it is not harmful to your health if this happens for a night or two. This will make you tired, but resting the following nights will keep you in shape.
However, if you do not fall asleep for several nights in a row, you may begin to feel:
- Constantly tired.
- Sleepy during the day and even falling asleep.
- Unable to concentrate.
- Undecided.
- Depressive.
This occurs when the problem begins to affect your health and you should start to consider whether your lifestyle or the environment around you is disturbing your sleep.
Your Night-time and Bed-time Routine
Having a nighttime routine and a set bedtime will help your body get used to a bedtime schedule. You may want to ask other people in your household to help you with your routine. Try not to use electronic devices such as smart phones ("smartphones"), computers, or tablets during the hours before bedtime. The light from these gadgets and the emotions that can result from checking email or social media sites can make it difficult to relax and fall asleep.
Create a relaxing routine at bedtime. You may want to take a warm shower or bath, listen to soothing music, or drink a cup of caffeine-free tea. And go to bed at the same time every night. And get up at the same time every morning, even if you feel tired. Wear a sleep mask and earplugs if light and noise bother you.
If You Can't Sleep
Sleeping makes you feel better, but its importance - as we have seen - goes beyond just boosting your mood or banishing unwanted circles or marks under the eyes. Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle and can benefit your heart, weight, mind, and much more.
Imagine that you are in a peaceful and pleasant place. Focus on the details and the sensations of being in a relaxing place. Get up and do a quiet or boring activity until you feel sleepy.
Imagine that you are in a peaceful and pleasant place. Focus on the details and the sensations of being in a relaxing place. Get up and do a quiet or boring activity until you feel sleepy.
Do not drink any fluids after 6 pm if you wake up frequently because you have to go to the bathroom.
Your Activities During The DayYour habits and activities can affect the quality of your sleep. Here are some tips:
- Get regular exercise. Determine what time of day works best for you based on your sleeping habits.
- Get outside during daylight hours. Spending time in the sun helps you readjust your body's sleep and wake cycles.
- Limit caffeine (coffee, tea, caffeinated sodas) during the day. And don't consume any of them for at least 4-6 hours before going to bed.
- Do not drink alcohol before going to bed. Alcohol can make you wake up more often at night.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco, especially at night. Nicotine can keep you awake.
- Don't nap during the day, especially around bedtime.
- Do not take medications that could keep you awake or make you feel hyperactive or energized, just before going to bed. Your doctor can tell you if your medicine might have this effect and if you can take it earlier in the day.
10 Simple Tricks To Sleep More And Better
Having good "sleep hygiene" can greatly improve your quality of life.
1. Avoid Drinking Caffeine, Alcohol And Nicotine
Caffeinated foods decrease the quality of sleep since caffeine is a stimulating substance that keeps you awake. Avoid taking it 4-6 hours before going to bed. The same is true for smokers, who must avoid cigarettes before going to bed. And although it seems that alcohol makes you sleepy, after a few hours of drinking it it acts as a stimulant, increasing the number of times you wake up at night. It should be avoided taking it 3 hours before bedtime.
Alcohol depresses the nervous system, which helps you fall asleep. However, this effect disappears after a few hours, which causes us to wake up several times throughout the night, preventing a good sleep.
2. Evaluate The Atmosphere Of Your Room
A quiet, dark and cool environment will help you fall asleep. Why do you think bats go into caves to sleep during daylight hours? To achieve such an atmosphere, reduce external noise with earplugs or using white noise devices. Have thick curtains that cover any ray of sunlight and even wear an eye mask. Maintain a temperature of 20-25 degrees. (60-75) and good ventilation. And make sure that you are lying on a good mattress and that you use good pillows. (Remember that good mattresses should be changed every 8-10 years)
3. Establish Relaxing Rituals Before Going To Bed
Reading before bed in dim light is a good way to prepare for sleep. Facilitate the transition from being awake to asleep with a few moments of relaxation in the hour before bed. Take a bath, read a book, practice relaxing exercises ... and above all, avoid stimulating and stressful activities - like working or arguing.
Activities that create physical and psychological stress cause the body to secrete cortisol, the hormone associated with increased "alertness." If you tend to take problems to bed with you, try writing them down in a notebook and putting them away when you're done.
4. Go To Bed When You Are Really Tired
Having trouble falling asleep will only lead to more frustration. If you haven't fallen asleep within 20 minutes of getting into bed, get up, go to another room, and do something relaxing like reading or listening to music until you feel tired enough to go to sleep.
5. Don't Look At The Clock
Looking at your bedroom clock when you are trying to fall asleep or when you wake up in the middle of the night can increase your stress. Lay him face down.
6. Keep Your Internal Clock On A Consistent Schedule
Having a regular sleep schedule helps ensure better quality and consistency of sleep. Going to bed and getting up at the same time each day sets the "internal clock" to go to bed at the same time night after night and get up at the same time each morning.
Try to maintain this same routine on the weekends to avoid a sleep hangover on Monday mornings.
7. Don't Take A Nap
Napping is beneficial to continue with energy the rest of the day, but not if they are long. A maximum of 20 minutes will sit us great. More, it will only prevent us from not being able to sleep at night. Many people nap as usual after eating. However, for those who have problems sleeping it can be counter-prudent as they reduce fatigue.
8. Make Your Dinners Light
Eating a pizza at 10 p.m. can be your worst nightmare. Finish dinner 2-3 hours before bed and avoid foods that cause indigestion or take a long time to digest. Go to bed with an empty stomach and not with your digestive system fully functioning, otherwise you will not rest well.
9. Balance Your Hydration
Drink enough to avoid waking up thirsty but not too much or too close to bedtime to avoid visits to the midnight bathroom.
10. Play Sports In The Morning
Exercising promotes relaxed sleep as long as it is practiced a few hours before bedtime. Practicing physical activity also stimulates the secretion of cortisol, which activates the alert mechanism in the brain. Finish your sports practice 3 hours before going to bed or accommodate it in your morning routines.
Final Thoughts
If you are not sleeping well and are tired, it is recommended that you do not do activities that could put you or others in danger. This includes driving, operating machinery, or making crucial decisions at work or at home.
If you continue to have sleep problems after trying these measures - especially if it lasts for more than a month - you must consult a doctor






