With winter arriving and the earlier darkness, we're thinking more about our sleep hygiene and how to make the most of rest. Sleep and rest in general are essential components of our health. They are necessary for recovery after exercising, yes, but they are also essential for immunity, mental wellness, and overall wellbeing. No one likes feeling tired.
To help us get the most out of bedtime, here are a few sleep hygiene tips we're putting into practice:
1. Investing in quality bedding
Bedding can be expensive, but we're of the belief that it's worth the investment if your wallet allows. Great bedding can help with warmth retention (or to keep you cool in the summer). And nontoxic bedding is ideal for health and because it's a more sustainable option. If you tend to sleep warm, try linen sheets. Otherwise, organic cotton is great choice.
2. Putting our phone away
That's right; we're going back to an old school alarm clock. Why? Because studies show that blue light and even the presence of a smart phone in the bedroom can negatively impact our sleep. Alarm clocks are inexpensive and work just as well—sans the social media notifications and late-night scrolling allure.
3. Reading before bed
Speaking of scrolling, we're using that energy to flip through a book instead. Reading is a great way to wind down at the end of the day and prepare your mind for rest. Pick up a few novels for the winter and spend the hour before lights out reading a story as opposed to watching TV.
4. Going to bed and waking up at the same time
One of the best ways to get good sleep? Train your body to wake up and fall asleep at the same time each day. This will help with balancing your circadian rhythm and you may find you don't even need an alarm clock after a while. Gift yourself at least eight hours by committing to the same bedtime each night.
Do you have any sleep hygiene tips? Share with us on Facebook or Instagram!
