One of the most important things you can do to feel energized, healthy and productive is getting enough sleep. If you feel like that is one thing you are lacking, you may want to look at your bedtime habits and evaluate what needs to be changed to help you get the rest you need!
Eating Before Bed
When “bedtime” hits, your body’s functions begin to slow down in order to prepare for sleep, getting ready to rest and reset. If you are a fan of the late-night snack, you are forcing your body to reactivate those functions in order to digest! Plus, because your organs are caught between wanting to rest and needing to digest, your metabolism is slowed which may result in weight gain. Now, going to bed on an empty stomach can be even more difficult than sleeping with a full stomach. If this is a problem for you, according to Self, you should try small snacks with high protein like cheese, peanut butter, and nuts. The less you load up on carbs or starches before bed, the better!
Drinking Caffeine
Caffeine is a substance that is meant to wake you up, not put you to sleep! The chemicals in caffeine open blood vessels and amp up your energy. Plus, even if you don’t drink caffeine right before bed, any caffeine intake during the day is going to build up a resistance to the hormones that make you drowsy, meaning when it’s time to hit the hay, your brain won’t want to! Many find that their coffee and tea frequency have a detrimental effect on the quality or length of sleep time that their body allows them. Not to mention, according to Showtime Smiles, coffee and tea are major causes of teeth discoloration. You may want to consider kicking the caffeine habit to save your sleep, your teeth, and your overall health.
Screen Time
It is a popular habit of many to unwind by going through social media, checking emails, reading articles, or doing any number of screen-related things right before you go to sleep. However, studies are showing that people who spend a substantial amount of time staring at blue light before sleep have a harder time doing so! This method of “unwinding” may actually wind your mind right up, encouraging a hundred thoughts. According to Toggl, you should let yourself truly relax by replacing screen time with meditation, a much healthier form of reflection.
Give yourself the best setup for this essential (and wonderful) part of your life. Decreasing your food, caffeine, and screen intake will help your brain and body be ready for a good night’s sleep!
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