Want to Sleep Better? Follow These 5 Top Tips...
If like many of the UK's population, you're not sleeping properly, it could be having serious effects on both your physical and mental health. Your immune system, mood, heart health, joints, muscles, productivity, weight and energy levels are all directly affected by the way you sleep.
This edition of the Odd Size Blog offers five top tips to help you get better sleep and avoid suffering from these health problems.
- Known as the 'circadian rhythm', your body has a natural wake-sleep cycle and this must be kept in sync. You can help your body to achieve this by trying, wherever possible, to get up and go to bed at around the same time each day, which optimises sleep quality. It is of course tempting to lie in when you can but you should try to avoid this temptation as it un-sets your body clock and makes sleeping problems worse.
- Melatonin is a hormone that helps the body to begin the process of falling asleep. The production of melatonin is influenced by light exposure and is secreted in larger amounts when it is dark. Light from computers, televisions and mobile phones disrupt melatonin production and so you should avoid using these electronics for at least an hour before going to sleep. Make sure no light from outside windows can get in by choosing blackout blinds or curtains. Alternatively, invest in a sleep mask to cover your eyes.
- Regular exercise delivers numerous health benefits, including better sleep. When you have exercised, you'll enjoy much better sleep and also be less sleepy during the daytime.
- Eating soon before bedtime can keep you awake, especially if the food is particularly spicy or high in carbohydrates and/or sugar. Caffeine is well known for its energising properties and can disrupt sleep for many hours after consumption so should be avoided. It's important to note that caffeine is an ingredient in many foods: not just in tea, coffee and soft drinks. Alcohol is also a big no-no; though it can make you feel tired, it interferes with normal sleep cycles.
- The quality of your mattress and bed has a big impact on sleep quality; if your bed or mattress is not giving you the support and comfort you need then you're going to sleep badly. In addition to keeping you awake, a bed and mattress of poor quality can result in aches, pains and even lasting problems with your joints, bones and muscles.
The last tip on this list is something we can help you with here at Odd Size Beds. We can supply you with any of our extensive collections of divan beds, wooden bed frames and a wide variety of mattress options to help you sleep better. Check out our website to discover the complete collection. Sweet dreams!
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