If you’ve ever gone to bed and counted sheep for hours, wondering if sleep will ever come, it might be some small comfort to know that you’re not alone. Statistics have proven that many Americans suffer from being unable to fall asleep, and many more suffer from some type of insomnia.
If you’re in need of better sleep, it could be your sleep hygiene that is to blame. If you’re waking up in the mornings feeling unrested, with your whole body aching, then it could be that your sleep hygiene needs to be adjusted. From getting a new mattress or bed frame to keeping your bedroom conducive to a good night’s sleep, there are many things you can do to improve. In this article, you can find a few tips to help you improve your sleep hygiene, so you can sleep well and wake up bright and early, ready to face the day.
What is sleep hygiene?
In order for you to improve your sleep hygiene, you need to first know what it is. In layman’s terms, sleep hygiene is simply having sleep habits that are healthy. Everything from your behaviors during the day to the amount of caffeine you drink and the state of your mattress can affect your sleep. Taking care of all of this adds up to having good sleep hygiene, but how do you do that? Read on to find out.Keep warm in a cool, comfortable environment.
If your bed is uncomfortable, your mattress is lumpy and sagging, or the mattress itself has been around since the dark ages, then your bed frame and mattress could be causing your poor sleep hygiene. If you wake up with your whole body hurting, then there’s no way you’re getting the right amount of sleep. What you need to do to correct your sleep hygiene, in this case, is head to the nearest mattress store for a Sealy Posturepedic mattress. There are plenty of mattresses to be had through Sealy Posturepedic that are affordable and even come with memory foam to make sure you sleep like a baby.
Once you’ve replaced your bed and mattress, it’s time to work on your bedroom being cool and comfortable. You want it to be chilly enough to sleep so that you can get under the covers and snuggle down. No one can sleep in a stifling, hot room where they can’t breathe.
Only go to bed when you’re sleepy.
Trying to go to sleep when you’re not sleepy is frustrating and just can’t be done. Consistently laying in bed at night trying to fall asleep will teach your body that bed isn’t for sleeping, just as going to bed to watch TV, play on your phone, or work on your laptop will. It’s important to use your bed for sleeping and sex, and that’s it, especially if you have problems with getting to sleep at night. You want your brain to be sleepy and your body also, for the best results. If you’re having problems sleeping, you can try a few natural remedies to help nudge you in the right direction.
When should you see your doctor?
If you’ve tried everything you can to improve your sleep hygiene and nothing works, then it’s time to see your doctor. If you start feeling the effects of sleep deprivation, then you need to see your primary care provider right away for help.
These are some of the ways that you can improve your sleep hygiene. If you feel that your insomnia is getting worse, it’s best to forgo the remedies above and make an appointment with your primary health care provider instead.
