Tips for Getting To Sleep

There are so many different sleeping tips that fly around journals and newsletters that it’s hard to keep track of them all. What’s worse is that so many of them can be counterproductive if not done properly or taken out of context! Here are a couple “better sleep” suggestions and their contradictions to help your make the most of your nighttime snooze!

Try to keep your current reading obsession out of the bedroom. As much as reading can relax you, be wary of how involved you get before bed. Books are all consuming at times: demanding an emotional connection and intellectual attention, which can cause your mind to stay way too involved long after you want to head to bed. I personally keep a “sleep book” read to curl up with at night. A book I’ve already read, preferably a classic that takes a little more focus to get through. Your mind will tire sooner and you already know the ending so you don’t become too involved.

Exercising regularly will help you sleep better, but just make sure to keep it away from bedtime. When you exercise you help deplete excess energy levels. However, if you schedule in your workout right before you go to bed you’ll find yourself awake for hours. The endorphins you create will act as a stimulant to keep you alert and awake. Make sure your workout is at least a couple hours before you plan on heading off to bed.

Keep your bedroom as quiet as possible, but not too silent. Keep content noisemakers out of your room, such as ticking clocks and whirling electronics. Your mind can focus too closely on the sounds and that will keep you awake. On the flip side, having your room so silent that you can hear a pin drop can cause the opposite: any sound, such as the heat turning on, may cause you to be woken up.

Nap, but nap wisely. Naps can help boost your sleep total, as well as refresh your mind and invigorate your body when you hit that midday slump. Be careful of when you take your naps, however. If you nap too late and too long it’s guaranteed to push off your bedtime routine. It’s suggested that naps be kept to about 30 minutes in length.