How To Ensure That You’re Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep is one of those things that determines whether you have a good or bad day, and it is so important to make sure that you’re getting those Zs in if you want to do great. However, some of us just struggle with it. We either can’t drift off to sleep as our heads are full of anxieties, or we constantly wake up in the night, unable to get into a really deep sleep. Whatever your problems are, getting a good night’s sleep is vital, and we’ve put down some simple tips so that you can get some well-deserved rest in, and begin your day feeling refreshed!

Limit your pre-sleep screen time

We’re all guilty of this one, but scrolling through your Twitter and Instagram feeds before you go to sleep could be the reason that you’re struggling to doze off. Not only is the light from your screen likely to keep you up for longer than it should do, but there have also been some studies linking mobile phone use before sleeping to depression and loneliness. Whilst you can put your phone on night mode in most cases, and apps are now being released that apply blue light filters to your screen, it may be a good idea to just give the phone a miss. Read a book, or just relax and talk to your loved ones. It could help you in more ways than one!

Get a good mattress and bed frame

Getting a good bed is key to ensuring that you’re getting enough sleep, and there are many people out there who are trying to sleep on 20 year old mattresses every night, and wondering why they aren’t providing much comfort. You should be changing your mattress every 8 years, and it’s also worth looking into the different types out there (some prefer memory foam, and others need more support for their backs). Buying a sturdy bed frame is also important, as a squeaky old frame could be waking you up every time you move in the night. You spend almost half of your life asleep, so it is certainly worthwhile investing in these things!

Block out the natural light

If you’re trying to get in some sleep, but you struggle due to your environment, then you may need to get some better blackout curtains or blinds. This is particularly the case if you’re working night shifts and trying to sleep during the day, as it can be difficult to get your body into a state of total relaxation and sleep if the sunlight is coming through your blinds. An investment in some of these may not put you out a lot financially, but it will help you to see a real change in your sleeping habits. Say goodbye to those annoying street lights – and the sun – and hello to a good night’s (or day’s) sleep.

Clean, clean, and clean some more

OK, some people out there haven’t washed their bedsheets since the dawn of time, but you may also be guilty of not cleaning your bedding enough, either. Many sources state that you are supposed to wash your sheets once a week (or once every two weeks, in some cases) but two weeks is the maximum time you should go without changing your bedding. An unclean bed can be detrimental to your sleep as you will be breathing in bacteria and dust, which settles on your sheets and can cause allergies. Don’t forget to vacuum your room as much as you can, and create a great environment to enable sleep.

Get a good routine in place

One of the other problems that you may be having is that you simply don’t have a good routine, and your body isn’t used to going to sleep and waking up at certain times daily. You should aim to go to sleep at a similar time each night (though it doesn’t have to be exact) and you should also try to get up at the same time, too, which shouldn’t be too difficult if you have to go to work in the morning. On the weekends we all (well, some of us) enjoy a lie in, but try not to sleep too much over these two days, as it could end up adding a spanner into the works of your routine. Decide a rough time to sleep and to wake up, and try to stick to it!

So, if you want to ensure that you’re getting enough sleep, why not try out these simple tips? You’ll be glad that you did when you feel refreshed, and ready to face the day!

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