Good Habits for Good Sleep
Do you lie awake many nights waiting for sleep? Maybe you need to look at your sleep hygiene.
Sleep hygiene is a relatively new concept. It helps you think of caring for yourself in preparation for sleep, just as you might care for your teeth. If you suffer from insomnia, you should take a look at various elements of your sleep hygiene:
*Taking caffeine or chocolate even much earlier in the day. Perhpas your body chemistry is changing as you age, and you can no longer tolerate these as you did before. Try going without for a few days.
*Exercise. Are you getting your needed 30 minutes a day of exercise close to bedtime? This can get your resting heart rate up, even an hour or two later, and prevent your falling asleep. So try exercising earlier in the day.
*Sugar late in the day. Are you drinking or eating sweets late in the day? Sugar can be a stimulant, and as such can rev you up so you can’t sleep. Beware of natural sugar, too, such as the sugar in orange juice.
*Arguing. Don’t argue with anyone after supper. Just make an appointment for an earnest discussion the following ay.
*Creative projects. Are you working on a creative project late in the day? This can get your creative juices flowing too strongly at bedtime. This could be great for ideas for your project, but bad for sleep. Best to save these for the following day.
So what SHOULD you do for good sleep habits?
*After supper, do calm things on purpose, in a calm manner.
*Read short items such as news magazines, with no story line.
*For watching TV and video, choose documentaries over thrillers.
So, now you have plenty of tips for good sleep hygiene. Try them out. They could be just what you are looking for.
