How to Beat Insomnia: 5 Tips for a Great Night’s Sleep
New research shows that more Americans are having trouble getting a restful night’s sleep. And we now know that a lack of sleep can contribute to long term health issues. After reading this research, I realized that my restless nights could be attributed to this our fast paced demanding lifestyles that have increased during the past few years. Our entire routines and schedules have been distributed since technology has taken over, so I’m not surprised to hear this news. But overall, I’m a pretty good sleeper. The minute my head hits the pillow, I’m knocked out to sleep within a few minutes.
Today, I’m sharing a few tips along with my essentials for a good night's sleep.
Tip #1: Put your phone away at least an hour before sleeping
I find that nights when I am scrolling on my phone right before bed, I have trouble falling asleep. A new routine that I’ve implemented is to pick up a book to read before bed. This allows me to get in a few chapters but also reading helps me fall asleep.
Tip #2: Keep the TV out of your bedroom
I haven’t had a working TV in my bedroom for two years. I don’t think I will bring one back into my room ever again. Like scrolling through your phone by your side before bed, sleep experts say it can impact having a good night’s sleep. Technology before bed stimulates your mind and after a day full of Zoom calls, you should want to wind down.
Tip #3: Turn on a sleep support app
My go-to tip for having a restful night is to turn on a sleep sounds app on my Amazon Alexa. I listen to peaceful sounds while sleeping throughout the night. My favorite sound is rainforest nights because I like to meditate that I’m running or doing yoga in a misty rainforest filled with nature's abundance. Something is peaceful about that to me. I also like to fall asleep to rain or white noise.
Tip #4: A nighttime shower or bath
I could never understand why my friend from college, took showers at night instead of first thing in the morning until she told me it helped her sleep better at night. Sleep experts say taking a shower or bath at night cools down your body and promotes a good night's sleep. I find when I take a shower at night, I sleep so much better at night.
Tip #5: Add Lavender or Magnesium to your nightly routine
Another one of my regular nighttime rituals is adding a few lavender essential oils to my palms and feet to relax my body for a good night’s sleep. Since I work out every day and have digestive issues, my doctor recommended that I take magnesium at night to relax my muscles and keep my digestion flowing. Magnesium is also great for sleep and reduces stress. I always have a great night's sleep when I incorporate magnesium foods or supplements into my nighttime routine.
I hope you found these tips helpful! I’ve also included a few of my favorite nighttime routine accessories and items below. If you have a nighttime routine that helps you sleep, I would love to hear from you in the comments below.