More people suffer from insomnia than we realize. Guest contributor Licia Margarete shares some tips on how you can deal with insomnia and sleep better.
Throughout the day we work, travel, and do an end number of tasks. We push our body to the limit, physically and mentally. After all this, we really need a good night's sleep to relax and recharge ourselves. But for some of us, getting a good night's sleep is not as easy as it sounds. There is no set cure for insomnia, but there are tips that may make it easier for you to get some shut eye.
Getting up and sleeping at roughly the same time everyday will definitely help you sleep better as your body gets more and more used to the new pattern. You will also notice that it will be easier for you to complete your daily work once you have a schedule to stick to.
Your bedroom's interiors should make you feel calm and cosy. When it's bedtime, try to keep noise, heat and light out of your bedroom as much as possible as they can hamper your sleep. Pull the curtains shut and darken the room as far as possible so that you can drift off to la-la land in peace.
Stress is bad for you at any given point but especially so at bedtime. Avoid stressful scenarios right before bedtime. Avoid arguments, TV, video games, etc. before bedtime. Instead, switch to soothing activities like listening to light music, reading and knitting. Anything that calms you is a yes!
A good night's sleep is far better than short naps during the day. Once the body gets used to short naps, it messes with the momentum of your work and makes you sluggish. More so, it can disturb your sleep cycle, making it difficult to sleep at night. When the body gets tired of the whole day’s tasks, it automatically moves to sleep mode the moment you lay on your bed.
Caffeinated beverages like tea or coffee are sleep snatchers. Avoid drinking them at least 5 hours before bedtime. Alcohol may make you sleepy, but in return, it will definitely disturb your natural cycle and your peaceful health.
We are already aware of the fact that phones, iPad, e-readers, etc. emit radiations. To get a good and sound sleep, it is necessary to be in a clean and peaceful environment. So, before hitting the bed, switch off your gadgets and keep them away.
If you are suffering from insomnia, you can also try meditating before you get cozy on the bed. Meditation relieves you of stress and calms your mind down. Reading a good book also has the same effect. You could also try relaxation methods such as deep breathing, yoga, and tai chi or even listening to some light music.