Do you want to live your best life? We all want to spend more time with our families, working on hobbies we love, and relaxing. However, it’s hard to accomplish any of those things if you’re not getting enough sleep.
Lack of sleep can lead to severe cognitive problems and results in a constant state of irritability. It’s pretty hard to live your best life when you can barely keep your eyes open.
In the spirit of getting more sleep, we are going to look at 4 effective bedtime routines you can try tonight.
Let’s dive in!
Pay Attention to What You Put in Your Body
The food that you eat and what you put into your body can have a massive impact on how well you sleep. Even if you absolutely love spicy food, eating a bowl of chili several hours before bed is a bad idea. Not only do you run the risk of heartburn and indigestion as soon as you get in bed, but you’re going to have a hard time falling asleep if you’re experiencing bloating or discomfort from overconsumption.
The same rules apply to nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol. While one or more of these things might be something you enjoy, it’s best to avoid all three a few hours before bed. Nicotine and caffeine act as a stimulant, which can make it hard to get to sleep. Alcohol can cause you to become dizzy or uncomfortable, making sleep a priority, but unachievable.
If you’re hungry, eat a light snack before bed like crackers, peanuts, or even plain noodles. Out of the three substances we mentioned, nicotine is probably the most difficult to avoid before bed. You may have to gradually cut back on before bedtime instead of all at once.
Stick to a Schedule
Your sleep schedule is directly related to your happiness. Lack of sleep can cause a hormonal imbalance, which can cause problems with depression and anxiety. Instead of sleeping at random intervals throughout the day, stick to a set schedule.
Try to stay mindful of your schedule, even on the weekends. A routine bedtime will help balance the release of melatonin, which can have a positive impact on your quality of sleep, productivity, and happiness.
Limit Your Technology Before Bed
We all have a habit of checking our phones while we are lying in bed. Maybe you’re watching your favorite YouTuber, or perhaps you’re trying to respond to all of the emails in your inbox. Either way, if you want to live your best life, you should avoid technology a couple of hours before bed.
You’ll still be able to watch your favorite YouTuber tomorrow; your work email can wait until you wake up. The more time you spend on your phone, the more exposure you get to blue light, which tricks your brain into thinking that the sun is rising and it’s time to wake up.
Spending too much time on your phone or tablet before bed can have a dramatic impact on your sleep schedule and how well you rest every night.
Avoid Checking the Time
Do you know the feeling of tossing and turning in bed, while checking the clock every 5 minutes? If so, it might be time to rethink how you fall asleep every night. The purpose of us getting rest every night is to recharge and get ready to start the next day.
If you’re spending hours looking at the clock, you’re doing your body more harm than good. Not only are you not getting enough sleep, but you’re also stressing yourself out. The looming feeling of thinking “well, 3 more hours until it’s time to wake up,” can be just as exhausting as staying up for 24 hours straight.
Try to hide your clocks by shifting them to the side of facing the opposite way on your bed. We already explained that technology could interfere with your sleep, so you shouldn’t have your phone handy either. Just by simply not knowing what time it is until your alarm goes off, you’ll be able to get a deeper, more comfortable sleep.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a better way to get more sleep and live your best life, these tips will get you started. We all have different habits and schedules, so it’s essential to keep these factors in mind while you’re trying to adjust your sleep schedule.
You may have to make tweaks to our strategies, depending on your situation. But generally speaking, if you follow these tips, you’ll feel more productive and well-rested in the morning. It’s time to start living your best life, but those efforts start when you tuck yourself in for the night.