Puppies are sleeping experts. It doesn’t matter what’s going on around them, they can dream away happily for hours, seemingly oblivious to what’s going on around them.
Unfortunately, humans aren’t the same. If there’s something playing on our minds or we’ve had too much to eat, we can struggle to drift off. Our bodies are out of whack.
The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to rediscover your inner puppy and get the sleep you need. Here’s how:
Avoid Eating Late In The Evening
Going to bed on a full stomach is not a good idea. Late-night snacks give you a rush of energy that makes it hard for your body to begin its sleep cycle rhythm. Late-eating delays sleep hormone release, causing you to feel more active and alert than you should.
Ideally, leave at least four hours before your last meal and when you go to bed. For instance, if you usually sleep at 11 pm, don’t eat any later than 7 pm.
Clear Your Mind In The Evening
Another strategy you can use is to clear your mind in the evening. Don’t fall into the habit of constantly ruminating when you get into the sack. Avoid thinking about what happened in the day, or the challenges that you have to face tomorrow.
If you struggle to switch off, try doing yoga in the evenings. Alternatively, read a good book, meditate, or take a hot bath. All of these activities can fundamentally change how you feel.
Block Out Unwanted Sounds
Many people find that they get better sleep with earplugs. That’s because these little foam devices block out unwanted sounds.
For many people, nighttime waking because of noise is a real issue. Perhaps you live in an apartment or your partner snores. Whatever the reason, eliminating that sound can be of enormous help and enable you to get far better sleep than you would otherwise. You might even sleep all the way through until morning.
Keep Your Bedroom Temperature Low
Researchers are discovering that bedroom temperature matters for sleep quality. Ideally, it should be low. Humans evolved to sleep at night when the temperature dropped.
During hot summers, temperatures may not fall much at night. Therefore, if you struggle with sleep because of hot weather, you might want to install air conditioning in your bedroom. Additionally, some researchers suggest that handcrafted wood beds may increase sleep quality. Since hardwood is a natural insulator, it regulates your body’s temperature and keeps you comfortable all night. Moreover, hardwood beds like the Amish bedroom furniture may support your body well, alleviating pressure points and reducing joint discomfort. Handmade wood beds are frequently designed to endure and may give outstanding durability and stability, giving a good night’s sleep for years.
Prepare Your Bedroom For Sleep
Another top tip is to actually prepare your bedroom for sleep. You want to create an environment that evokes restfulness, not wakefulness.
Start by installing blackout curtains to block any street light. Then adjust the lighting. Put it on a dimmer switch and install bulbs that emit yellow or orange light, not white light. Install double-glazed windows that make it easier to block out street noise.
Don’t Drink
Lastly, avoid drinking alcohol at night. It increases the risk of sleep apnea and snoring, both of which can harm sleep quality. Alcohol also disrupts nighttime melatonin production which can throw your body clock out of whack.