It’s not uncommon to toss and turn, squeeze your eyes shut and count backwards from 100 while trying to get that long awaited good night’s sleep. Studies have found that around 1 in 3 people have at least mild insomnia.
For years, scientists have been in disagreement regarding how to ‘treat’ sleep deprivation that approximately 60 million Americans struggle with each night. Still, there is much disparity in proposing one accepted solution, however there are many ways in which we can improve our overall sleeping patterns. Here are five ways you can restore your disrupted sleep cycle:
- Reduce Stress Levels: Most likely, one of things keeping you up at night is your mind racing about all you have to do the next day, or that fight you had with your significant other. Stress is the leading cause of restless nights here in the US. Some advice: Do not go to bed angry. Also, avoid the excessive caffeine and energy drinks throughout the day.
- Peace and Quiet, Eliminate Noise: Give your mind the rest it needs to fall into the deep sleep you hope for each night. Falling asleep to the TV keeps your mind working and interrupts your sleep cycle. Noise free is the way to go!
- Eat Light, Eat Early: It’s best to eat 3-4 hours before you settle in for the night. Going to sleep on a full stomach will keep your body working all night to digest that late night snack. Your body will thank you in the morning after eating an early, light meal.
- Morning Rituals: Make a routine. Wake up at 6am and exercise before work, get your day started early rather than rolling out of bed and into the office. This routine will help to prepare your mind for sleep hours later.
- Be Proactive: If you’re not sleeping well, then do something about it. Change up your habits. Improvements aren’t going to happen overnight, this must be something you are diligent about; you must work hard to see change.
A good night’s sleep will help support a productive, gratifying day of work. Being well rested is at the very core of an improved lifestyle. At Shift, we want our members to be operating at 100%, so we hope these tips will help those struggling to find that peaceful night of sleep.