3 Tips for Getting a Better Night's Sleep

It's amazing how much whether or not we get a good night's sleep can affect us. Just one sleepless night can throw us off, affecting our memory, mood, health, and our sleep schedule for days afterward. We need our sleep, especially as we get older. Once we pass a certain age, we're not able to operate on little to no shut-eye, or recover as easily from a hard day as we used to, and missing sleep consistently can make us more vulnerable to multiple health risks. If you're having trouble getting your 8 hours every night, try these tips for getting a better night's sleep: 

1.     Stick to a schedule – One of the easiest ways to lose sleep is to have an inconsistent sleep schedule. Going to bed at a different time just once can throw off someone's sleep schedule for weeks, as can getting up in the morning at inconsistent times. Pick a time that you want to go to bed every night and get up every morning, and then stick with it as much as possible. That way your body will get used to shutting down and starting up at specific times every day.

2.     Watch what you eat and drink – Diet can have a big impact on our ability to sleep. Going to bed too full or too hungry can mess with our bodies' natural cycles, waking us up in the middle of the night or making it difficult to doze off. Caffeine and alcohol especially can disrupt a good night's sleep. Watch your food and drink intake, and, if certain foods or drinks keep you up at night, cut them out of your diet or limit when you partake of them.

3.     Have a nightly ritual – Start winding down your day an hour or so before you want to fall asleep. With the lights dimmed, try reading a book, knitting, or performing some other soothing activity that will help your mind settle and your body get ready for rest.

For more tips on sleeping, eating right, and other health issues, speak with one of our wellness experts today by calling 800-533-9355.