How to Sleep

Nothing is more frustrating than tossing and turning all night. Sleep deprivation can affect your work and personal time negatively. Many different factors can cause difficulty sleeping, but knowing HOW to sleep can help combat these factors. Knowing how to sleep is generally referred to as "sleep hygiene." This article will give you some tips and practices to get a good night's sleep, and wake up feeling refreshed.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. First, think of your bedroom as ONLY a place of rest. This means no watching television, surfing the net, or eating in bed. Obviously, sex is still a go in the bedroom, as cutting this out would only serve to hinder most people's sleep. Not associating the bedroom with other activities will allow you to clear your mind and relax.

2. Minimize noise. If possible, choose an apartment or house in a quiet neighborhood away from train tracks, airports, and highways. If you already have a house in one of these places, ear plugs can help to block out the noise.

3. Minimize light. Using a light colored shade on your windows will serve two purposes. At night it will sufficiently block out natural light from outside. In the morning it will gradually let more light in, allowing you to wake up slowly and peacefully.

4. We already know that exercise provides health benefits, but what you might not know is that exercising in the morning, or early afternoon, promotes good sleep at night. Be careful what time you work out, as exercising too late can have an opposite effect.

5. Try to go to sleep and wake up the same time everyday. Yes, even on weekends! Get into a sleeping habit, and stick with it.

6. Avoiding drinking at least two hours before bedtime will reduce awakenings due to urination.

7. Refrain from using caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol at least four hours before bedtime.

8. Avoid long naps during the day.

9. A light snack half an hour before bedtime can help get to sleep.

Tips & Warnings

• If long term sleep deprivation persists, you could have a serious sleep disorder. In this case, your best option is to talk with a doctor.

[mrsmac]

on 11/6/2009 Good info I will certainly try these tips

[Susanh]

on 6/7/2009 Excellent points on how to get a good night's rest. 5*****

[momaloy]

on 12/7/2008 Great article, there's a lot of good information in there! I haven't heard the term "sleep hygiene" in a long time.

[Bgal]

on 10/21/2008 Nice article

[purrfect1969]

on 10/6/2008 Great tips. I am nothing without a good night's sleep.