Do you want to wake up feeling energized and ready to take on the world? Then you need a good night’s sleep.
Sleep is vital to proper functioning, and the good news is you can learn to sleep better.
How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
You need at least seven hours of sleep per night – and eight is even better. Our 12 tips for a good night’s sleep will ensure you get reach that magic number.
When you’re well rested, you’ll be surprised at how much easier life seems.
Get Into a Routine
I know you want to sleep in on the weekends, but those late nights are destroying your sleep schedule. Our bodies do better on routines, so try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day – yes, even on the weekends!
You’ll start getting tired at bedtime, and feeling awake in the morning, no matter the day.
Turn Off Your Electronics
The blue light and constant buzz of all our devices keep our brains on high alert. Turn all your screens off at least 30 minutes before bed for a better night’s rest.
Meditate
Meditation helps us feel more relaxed and grounded. Try meditating before bed to ease yourself into sleep. It also gives you something to do in that 30-minute phone-free space before bed.
Noise Canceling Headphones
All the random noises throughout the night keep us on the brink of wakefulness. Tune out the world with noise-canceling headphones or a white noise machine.
Black Out Curtains
Although nothing beats waking up to the sun’s first rays on your face, if you need to sleep later than sunrise, you should get black-out curtains. They’ll keep the light out of the day out of the room so you can get a good night’s sleep no matter what time you rise.
A Great Pillow
Many people struggle with restless nights because they’re using the wrong pillow. Test various pillow types and structures to find the one that gives you the best support.
It might be a $50 pillow, but it’s worth the investment if it will help you sleep better every night.
The Right Temperature
Whether too hot or too cold, an uncomfortable temperature can hinder your rest. Set the thermostat to your ideal sleeping zone.
Bedtime Tea
Before hitting the hay, brew yourself some herbal tea to relax and ease your body into a restful state. Ensure its caffeine-free!
Invest in a Mattress
A good mattress will cost a pretty penny, but it’s worth the price. Invest in something with good back support that helps you fall into a dream the second you lay down.
Early Dinner
A big dinner may make us sleepy, but the digestive process hinders the restorative properties of sleep. Sometimes, the acid reflux of a big dinner can make sleeping impossible. To sleep better, eat a little earlier so you don’t have that bloated feeling before bed.
Avoid Alcohol
Booze may make us sleepy, but our bodies are too busy repairing the damage from alcohol to get the rest we need. Avoid it to get a good night’s sleep.
Work Out
Have you ever gone to bed after a long hike? Remember how quickly you sank into your mattress and drifted into dreamland? Recreate that by working out regularly. Your body will be ready to rest the moment your head hits the pillow.
Bonus: Try Melatonin
If all else fails, try melatonin, a tried-and-true sleep supplement that can help you fall asleep faster. I use it on nights when I just can’t fall asleep no matter what, and it usually works.
More Ways To Improve Your Life
Getting better sleep will greatly improve your life, but there’s more you can do.