Tips on how to get a good nights sleep

Sleep is one of the most important things our body needs in order function, but for some sleep doesn’t come as easy as others.  I’m a fairly good sleeper, although quite a light one and just occasionally I struggle to get a full nights sleep for whatever reason.

There’s a few things that I would do to try to get that perfect nights sleep…

Sleep on a comfortable bed and mattress

This may sound like such an obvious thing to say, but it is surprising how many of us will stick out an uncomfortable mattress perhaps due to financial reasons or just simply because it’s not a the for-front of our minds when we are awake.  Whilst there are many beds available, it’s perhaps worth looking at adjustable beds as these really can be programmed to suit your body and it’s positioning whilst you sleep.  And whilst you may thing that they are only adjustable beds for the elderly, I think any aged adult would like one of these to go to sleep on! Imagine before falling to sleep and having the head raised as a comfortable height if you want to read a book and not using your pillow to awkwardly prop up your head?

Go to bed at a reasonable hour!

I’m one of these that really needs 8/9 hours sleep and you’ll often find me tucked up in bed by 10pm!  If I have a late night I end up paying for it in a few days time. It’s suggested in a recent report on recommended sleep times that a person of my age should get around 7-9 hours sleep a night.

Drink herbal tea before bed

Drinking peppermint tea was recently recommended to me as means to get an unbroken nights sleep.  Ideally you want to try to drink about 30 mins before bedtime.  Camomile tea is said to have the same effect too.

Exercise

Having a healthy exercise regime will help you fall to sleep quick and for longer, something simple as a walk is enough but also a session at the gym is equally as good.

 

Stop looking at your phone or tablet before bed

If like me, your phone is likely to be the last thing you look at before bed, but studies have shown that exposure to the blue/white light given off by phones prevents our brains from releasing melatonin, a hormone that tells our bodies it’s nighttime.  Some say you should stop using your devices an hour before bedtime.  If like me you have an iPhone, there is an option to switch this light off so your phone emits a gentler light.  Although this is debatable if this is still enough.

These are just a few of my tips for a better nights sleep, but I’m sure there are many more…I’d love to hear your own tips on how you get a good nights sleep in the comments below!