Regular exercise and a balanced diet are just as vital as getting a good night’s sleep.
Poor sleep has been shown to have an immediate negative impact on hormones, exercise performance, and cognitive function. In both adults and children, it can cause weight gain and raise disease risk.
Good sleep, on the other hand, can help you eat less, exercise more effectively, and live a healthier lifestyle. Both the quality and amount of sleep have dropped in recent decades.
In fact, many people have trouble sleeping on a daily basis. Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health or reduce weight.
1, Limit your exposure to blue light.
Light exposure during the day is good, whereas light exposure at night has the reverse impact.
This is due to its effect on your circadian rhythm, which causes your brain to believe it is still sunlight. Hormones like melatonin, which help you relax and sleep deeply, are reduced as a result of this.
Blue light, which is emitted in significant volumes by electronic gadgets such as cellphones and computers, is the worst in this regard. There are several prominent strategies for reducing blue light exposure at night. These are some of them:
- a) Protect your eyes with blue-blocking spectacles.
- b) Two hours before going to bed, turn off any bright lights and turn off the TV.
- c) Lower the brightness on your phone and other devices to reduce your exposure to blue light.
2, Opt for melatonin supplements
Melatonin is a sleep hormone that signals to your brain that it’s time to unwind and retire to bed. Melatonin pills are a well-liked sleeping aid. Melatonin, which is commonly used to treat insomnia, may be one of the simplest ways to fall asleep quickly.
Taking 2 mg of melatonin before bed enhanced sleep quality and vitality the next day, as well as helped participants fall asleep faster, according to one study. In another study, half of the participants fell asleep 15 per cent faster and had better sleep quality.
Furthermore, neither of the studies mentioned above showed any withdrawal symptoms.
3, Enhance the ambience of your bedroom
Many people believe that the environment and layout of their bedroom are important aspects in getting a good night’s sleep. Temperature, noise, exterior lighting, and furniture layout are some of these influences.
In one study of women’s bedroom environments, about half of the participants reported better sleep quality when noise and light were reduced.
Try to keep external noise, light, and artificial lights from devices like alarm clocks to a minimum in your bedroom. Ensure that your bedroom is a peaceful, calm, clean, and comfortable environment.
4, Unwind and clear your mind.
Many people have a relaxing habit before going to bed. Another typical method for treating insomnia is to practise relaxation techniques before bed. These approaches have been demonstrated to increase sleep quality.
A soothing massage enhanced sleep quality in persons who were sick in one research. Listening to soothing music, reading a book, taking a hot bath, meditation, deep breathing, and visualisation are some of the techniques that might help you relax.
Experiment with different approaches to see what works best for you.
5, Purchase a relaxing bed, mattress, and pillow
Some folks are perplexed as to why they always seem to sleep better at hotels. Apart from the calming surroundings, the quality of the bed might have an impact on sleep. New bedding has been shown in trials to improve sleep.
Furthermore, poor-quality bedding can contribute to an increase in lower back pain. It’s advised that you replace your bedding every 5–8 years at the very least.
If you haven’t updated your mattress or bedding in years, this can be a quick — albeit somewhat costly — cure. You can also use some king single bed sheets, as they are soft, and provide utmost comfort.
Over to you…
Sleep is essential for good health. Insufficient sleep was associated with an elevated risk of obesity by 89 percent in children and 55 percent in adults in one major study.
According to other studies, sleeping less than 7–8 hours a night raises the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Making sleep a high priority and incorporating some of the recommendations above are recommended if you want to achieve optimal health and well-being.
