Sleep struggles are real. And they are awful!
If I miss just 2 hours of sleep, I’m useless the next day:
- I have trouble concentrating and focusing.
- I am more likely to crave junk food.
- I’m not as productive.
- I am irritable and moody.
- I yawn all day
- I’m SUPER exhausted and fatigued.
If that sounds like you too, read on, my friend! I’ve got 7 quick tips for better sleep that I’ll bet you’ve never heard.
1) Make it completely dark.
Any light whatsoever in your bedroom can mess with your sleep. So…
- Wear an eye mask.
- Invest in blackout curtains.
- Turn off all lights – even the tiny lights on your electronics can affect your sleep. Better yet, remove all electronics from your bedroom!
2) Evaluate your bedding.
Make sure your sheets aren’t made of synthetic materials.
Natural fibers, such as cotton, are more breathable and help you to avoid night sweats or hot flashes.
3) Try a bedtime bulb.
Regular lighting can mess with your melatonin levels. Consider using a filtered lightbulb without blue light for the 2-3 hours before lights out.
4) Put on some socks.
Socks warm up your feet by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow. This can help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
Make sure they’re made of a breathable fabric and aren’t too tight. You can kick them off later if you get too hot.
5) Keep ice nearby.
Night sweats or hot flashes? It may be helpful to have a bucket of ice with a towel on top of it next to your bed in case you overheat.
This way, you can quickly grab the cold towel and put it on your neck to cool down. Ahhhh…
6) Consider a later bedtime.
Yes, I said later! Determine how many hours of sleep you want to get. Then count backwards and go to bed at that time.
If you need to wake up at 6 a.m., for example, go to bed at 11 p.m.
Don’t get in bed at 9 p.m. and then hang out there for 2 hours watching Netflix or playing on your iPad. Your bed should be reserved for sleep (and making love) only!
7) Keep a sleep diary.
Every morning, take 5 minutes to write out how your night went. Reviewing your sleep diary once a week can help pinpoint areas for improvement.
Or consider using the SleepBot app instead, which tracks your sleep patterns and offers tips for better sleep the next night.
I hope you found these sleep secrets helpful!
Desperate for more sleep help? Check out my free One-Day Plan for the Best Sleep Ever and you’ll be sleeping like a baby in less than 24 hours.
Whether or not you’ve heard of any of these, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below if any of these have helped you, or if you plan to try any.
If you’re always tired and you’re finding that you need some healthy eating guidance, click here for some one-on-one nutritional and lifestyle coaching from yours truly.