Sleep Tight

When is the last time you had a great night’s sleep? For many, a good night’s sleep is rare. If you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or if you don’t feel well-rested in the morning, try these techniques:

• Listen to Sounds of Nature. Some people find sounds from nature soothing. You can purchase CDs of serene natural sounds like running water or crashing waves.

• Avoid Bedtime Snacks. Increased blood sugar levels inhibit sleep and caffeinated drinks can keep you awake, so it’s best not to eat or drink right before bed.
• Sleep In Complete Darkness. A small amount of light can disrupt your body’s normal sleep cycle. Sleeping with a nightlight may reduce the amount of sleep you get.
• Take the TV Out of the Bedroom. Stimulating your brain with TV or other visual media can make falling asleep very difficult.
• Wear Socks to Bed. A recent study has shown that cold feet may cause people to awaken frequently throughout the night.
• Set Regular Bedtimes. Between the hours of 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM, the melatonin production in our body is at its peak. Melatonin aids sleep. Although it varies from person to person, 7 to 8 hours of sleep for adults is ideal.
• Use Your Bed for Sleeping Only. Don’t work or watch TV in bed. These activities may condition your body against sleep, and your body may no longer associate the bed with sleeping.