Time for Self-Care – 8 Tips on How to Improve Your Sleep Naturally
Let’s talk about sleep, baby, let’s talk about you and me… 🎼 Let’s talk about sleep, not about sex. Because I can’t help you in the sex department, but I can help you with a few habits that improved my sleep immensely. These habits especially come in handy when I’m going through bouts of insomnia. Without medicine or any substances, I have discovered a few natural tips on how to improve my sleep naturally. I will admit, I’m one of those lucky people who put their head on the pillow and fall right to sleep. After a minute or two, I’m knocked out. I know that’s not the case for many people, and I have found myself working through bouts of sleeplessness and insomnia periodically.
It’s the worst feeling when all you want to do is sleep, but the wonderful dreamland of sleep does not come. Without adequate sleep, people don’t function very well. According to Healthline, lack of sleep can lead to loss of concentration, irritability, and you may even experience hallucinations. I know you’ve already heard this before and you know SLEEP IS IMPORTANT! This article is a reminder that if you are having issues with sleeping, it is time to take a few measures to ensure your rest is prioritized and protected. Personally, I’ve experienced a loss of concentration, sleepwalking, irritability, and general dysfunction when I go without adequate sleep for too long. So I think we can all agree rest is necessary, but the question is, what can you do to make it better?
I recently listened to Food Heaven’s podcast on what to do when you have trouble sleeping. This episode included a psychologist trained in CBTI (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) and they discussed the myths and facts of sleep. Making a few natural changes to your habits can drastically change your quality of sleep.
This Week’s Treats ~ An easy walk, a warm cup of tea and a comfy pillow 😴😴
Good Sleep Habits
- Save the bedroom for sleep and sleep like activities – This allows your brain to associate the bedroom and your bed with sleep… and sex.
- Take a short, easy walk an hour or two before bed – Taking a short easy walk helps me wind down for the night and release some anxiety. A walk is especially helpful for me when I have a stressful day.
- Drink a warm cup of tea or any warm liquid – I like to do something relaxing and soothing before my bedtime and drinking tea is soothing for me.
- Leave the TV out of the bedroom – This can be a hard one to follow, but TVs are very distracting for rest. The bright light, the noise, and the activity on the screen can encourage you to stay away.
- Hang blackout curtains in the bedroom – For me, sunlight easily wakes me up in the morning. Sometimes that means when the sun rises around 6:00 AM and the light peaks through my window, I’m up before my alarm. (and I need those precious minutes in the morning!) So I purchased blackout curtains, and now I’m able to wake up naturally.
- Find a comfortable pillow – The right type of head and neck support can change your world. Test out a few pillows and find one that best suits your needs.
- Find pajamas that fit well and wear a little less – Most people sleep better in cooler temperatures, so less clothing is recommended, but find what works best for you.
- Set a sleep routine – Wake up at the same time every day and you will naturally go to sleep around the same time every day. A routine helps your body stay in rhythm, so you should even wake up at the same time on weekends.
What are your tips to get a good night’s rest?
Sweet Butter Harmony 