Are you getting enough rest? In our plugged-in, stressed-out world, more than 100 million people across the globe are struggling to sleep each night. If you’re one of them–and you know who you are, you yawning, reach-for-another-cup-of-coffee readers–then it’s time to make a couple easy changes.
In honor of World Sleep Day, here are three tips to help you get more rest. After all, no weird wanderer can enjoy the haunted and oddball sights on two hours (or less) of sleep.
Eat the right foods.
As the old saying goes, you are what you eat. In this case, consume loads of sleep-friendly foods, and you’ll be catching some zzz’s in no time. Focus your diet on fish, yogurt, and whole grains. Looking for something to really shake things up? Tart cherry juice is great since it’s chock-full of melatonin.
Limit the alcohol.
Sure, a nightcap has been known to help with sleep. But no matter what you’ve heard (or tried), drinking too much or too soon before bedtime will disrupt those pesky circadian rhythms. Keep the drinks to a minimum (two at the most), and avoid consuming any alcohol–wine, beer, or liquor–two to three hours before bedtime.
Prepare your bedroom right.
More than probably anything else, your bedroom makes the most difference to your sleep cycle. You don’t want the room too hot, too bright, or too noisy. While in bed, don’t use electronic devices (laptops, cell phones, and yes, even Kindles) since the light from the screens can disrupt your ability to get to sleep. Also, be sure to set an alarm every day, even on weekends, so you can establish a routine. This will help your body get into a pattern. Soon enough, you and sleep will be together again. Reunited and it feels so good… and restful too.
Happy haunting, and sweet dreams!
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.