15 Tips to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

15 Tips to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

A natural periodic state of rest for the mind and body, in which the eyes usually close and consciousness is completely or partially lost, so that there is a decrease in bodily movement and responsiveness to external stimuli.During sleep the brain in humans and other mammals undergoes a characteristic cycle of brain-wave activity that includes intervals of dreaming.


While you sleep, your brain is hard at work forming the pathways necessary for learning and creating memories and new insights.Without enough sleep, you can’t focus and pay attention or respond quickly.A lack of sleep may even cause mood problems.Also, growing evidence shows that a chronic lack of sleep increases your risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and infections. 

Like eating well and being physically active, getting a good night’s sleep is vital to your well-being.  Here are 15 tips to help you:

Reduces stress: In the case of sleep deficiency, the body’s functions enter a state of high alert, and cause an increase in blood pressure and production of stress hormones. The stress hormones make it harder to sleep and the higher blood pressure amplifies the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

1. Be well rested before hitting the road.Keep in mind that if you skimp on sleep for several nights in a row, it might take more than one night of good sleep to be well rested and alert.


2. Don’t count on caffeine.Although drinking a cola or coffee might help keep you awake for a short time, it won’t overcome extreme sleepiness.


3. Funny with food: You go crazy with the food. Either you keep on eating or you don’t feel like eating at all. You don’t understand when you are hungry and your relationship status with food is strictly complicated.


4. Online at 3: So you get up in the middle of the night and check your phone. You see so many notifications that your eyes are wide open and you go online and start replying to mails, tweeting, updating statuses or pinning at odd hours. These are all good indications that you are losing your sleep.


5. Stick to a sleep schedule.Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day even on the weekends. Exercise is great, but not too late in the day.Try to exercise at least 30 minutes on most days but not later than 2–3 hours before your bedtime.


6. Avoid caffeine and nicotine.The stimulating effects of caffeine in coffee, colas, certain teas, and chocolate can take as long as 8 hours to wear off fully.Nicotine is also a stimulant.


7. Avoid alcoholic drinks before bed.  A “nightcap” might help you get to sleep, but alcohol keeps you in the lighter stages of sleep.  You also tend to wake up in the middle of the night when the sedating effects have worn off.


8. Avoid large meals and beverages late at night.A large meal can cause indigestion that interferes with sleep.  Drinking too many fluids at night can cause you to awaken frequently to urinate.


9. Avoid medicines that delay or disrupt your sleep, if possible.Some commonly prescribed heart, blood pressure, or asthma medications, as well as some over the counter and herbal remedies for coughs,colds, or allergies, can disrupt sleep patterns.Don’t take naps after 3 p.m.Naps can boost your brain power, but late afternoon naps can make it harder to fall asleep at night.Also, keep naps to under an hour.


10. Relax before bed.  Take time to unwind.A relaxing activity, such as reading or listening to music, should be part of your bedtime ritual.


11. Take a hot bath before bed.The drop in body temperature after the bath may help you feel sleepy, and the bath can help you relax.


12. Have a good sleeping environment.Get rid of anything in your bedroom that might distract you from sleep, such as noises, bright lights, an uncomfortable bed, or a TV or computer in the bedroom.Also, keeping the temperature in your bedroom on the cool side can help you sleep better.


13. Have the right sunlight exposure.Daylight is key to regulating daily sleep patterns.Try to get outside in natural sunlight for at least 30 minutes each day.


14. Don’t lie in bed awake.If you find yourself still awake after staying in bed for more than 20 minutes, get up and do some relaxing activity until you feel sleepy.  The anxiety of not being able to sleep can make it harder to fall asleep.


15. See a doctor if you continue to have trouble sleeping.If you consistently find yourself feeling tired or not well rested during the day despite spending enough time in bed at night, you may have a sleep disorder.Your family doctor or a sleep specialist should be able to help you.