12/05/2022
Feeling tired today? This post is for you!
There are many reasons why getting a good night's sleep is important. Sleep deprivation is very common and can have a negative impact on your immune system, cognition, and overall health. Additionally, sleep deprivation has been linked to accelerated dementia, diabetes, and tumour growth.
So how can you get quality sleep?
1. Ensure that your bedroom is dark. If there is any artificial light coming in from outside, invest in blackout curtains or blinds, or use a sleep mask to block out the light. The room temperature should be on the cooler side - below 70 F or 20 C. Our body temperature naturally decreases at nighttime.
2. Have a nighttime routine. Before you go to bed each night, do a few things that will relax your mind and let it know that it's time to sleep. This can include making love to your partner, cuddling with them, having a warm shower or bath, brushing your teeth, and so on. A 10-to-30-minute routine done consistently before bed lets our brains know we are planning to sleep.
3. Don’t watch TV in bed. Don’t use your electronic devices in bed. The light from these devices can interrupt the production of melatonin from the light they emit. Most people need 6 to 8 hours of sleep to feel rested when they wake.
4. Try not to deviate your sleep patterns on weekends too much.
5. Eating before bed is not so good for inducing sleep - our bodies aren’t made to digest food while we sleep, so have your last meal or snack several hours before bed.