Getting enough sleep is critical for your health and wellbeing. Without enough rest, your body, mind, and spirit won’t get the support needed to help you thrive. Unfortunately, getting a good night’s sleep is not as easy as it should be. There are endless stressors that can impede getting a good night’s sleep, and some of these factors are out of our control. Knowing that there is only so much you can do to improve your sleep might seem disheartening, but knowing that what you have control over is more than enough to get you the rest you need. Read on to discover four necessities you need to get better rest!
- Cozy And Warm Bedding
If your sleeping arrangements are not ideal, you’ll have difficulty falling asleep, no matter how stress-free you are. Take some time to figure out the essentials you need for good sleep hygiene, such as the kinds of sheets and pillows you need to feel comfortable. You’ll also need to figure out a comforter and blanket that can help you fall asleep more comfortably.
Some people prefer cotton sheets, while others are cool with microfiber. There are many different options to consider, so find the ones that work best for you. Make sure that the mattress you are using is up to your standards. Consider the mattress foundation you need for the best support during the night and update your mattress every few years.
- Sleep-Inducing Night Lighting
Try to start limiting your screen time throughout the day so that before bed, you haven’t been exposed to too much blue light. The light we receive from our smartphones and other electronic devices can keep our brains alert, which is not helpful for sleep. Try to reduce your screen time and switch out your artificial light bulbs for red ones!
If you limit your light exposure to just two lamps in your bedroom, you can use red lighting to help you get ready for sleep. Our ancestors were exposed to firelight before bed, so tuning into this aspect of our DNA can be helpful in terms of resetting our body clocks and falling asleep more naturally.
- Journal Your Thoughts
Sometimes stress is the real culprit behind restless sleep. To help your mind wind down as much as your body, devote some time before bed to journal your thoughts. By completing this brain dump exercise, you get a cathartic relief of letting go of any worries that may be troubling you at the current time.
You might include prayer or lighting a few candles before bed to help your mind wind down. Whatever exercises help you cool down mentally are great before bed because they reduce stress. Less stress means better rest for you.
- Follow A Sleep Schedule
For many individuals, following a consistent sleep schedule is integral to getting quality rest each night. By teaching your body when to wake up and when to go to sleep, you give your circadian rhythms the chance to kick in so that you can follow this structure successfully as time goes on.
When your body is left guessing, it can be hard to fall asleep because it is confusing! Keep things simple by following a sleeping and waking routine that works for you.
The Bottom Line
Finding the tools that work for you is all you really need to do to get a good night’s sleep. Think about your current situation and what factors contribute to your lack of quality rest. Use the suggestions above to start implementing changes that may lead to the rest you deserve.