We all want to get a good night’s sleep. There’s nothing more frustrating than tossing and turning all night or waking up feeling unrested.
The path to a good night’s sleep actually starts before you hit the bed.
Reduce or limit caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant, so while you may rely on it to keep you awake and alert through the work day, it’s best to stop drinking it mid-day. Typically, it can take four to six hours to metabolize half of the caffeine you consumed. Having a cup of coffee late in the day can actually cause you to have a harder time falling asleep.
Be active during the day. Going for a walk or getting a half hour of exercise can help your body rest easier.
Turn off the electronics earlier, keep your bedroom dark, and have the temperature set to cool. Watching TV late into the night can impact our body’s natural rhythm and can tell our bodies to stay awake rather than start to wind down. A book or a relaxing stretching routine before bed can help get you ready for rest.
Finally, be consistent. It takes time to get your body used to a sleeping routine, but if you can start going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time (yes, even on the weekends), it will help you sleep better.
If you’re following these general recommendations and still struggle to fall or stay asleep, it’s time to get the experts involved. A doctor may order a polysomnography (sleep study), to help determine what is impacting your sleep. From there the doctor can work with you to start a treatment plan to help you get back to sleeping well.