There are many different factors to consider when it comes to our good health. Some of the first things that will likely come to your mind are eating the proper diet and getting some exercise. Those are certainly near the top of the list if not the most important things that you need to do. Coming in just after that or perhaps exactly in line with those factors is getting enough healthy sleep. If you aren’t getting the sleep that you need, you are robbing yourself of health and in many cases, robbing yourself of happiness as well.
Most of us are aware of the fact that we need to get enough sleep at night. The reality of life for many of us, however, is that we don’t get enough sleep and we tend to be tired during the day. Not getting enough sleep can impact you all day long, making it difficult for you to make proper decisions, impairing your judgment and even making it hazardous for you to be on the road. It is more than just a matter of being sleepy, it’s a matter of being unhealthy.
Fortunately, there are some ways for you to change your lifestyle and to develop healthy sleeping habits that will have a positive effect on you for the long term. This is not something that you should underestimate. Initiating these habits and keeping them in your life for the long term will help you to live a longer, happier and healthier life long-term.
First of all, before we talk about some of the healthier sleeping habits that you can incorporate into your life, it’s important to talk about sleep problems. These issues can cover a broad range of problems such as insomnia, sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. It can even include more serious issues such as narcolepsy. In any case, these problems need to be addressed and corrected so that they no longer affect your sleep. Many people who are able to overcome a problem with sleep apnea, for example, find that their life is enhanced in ways that they never even imagined possible.
One of the first healthy sleeping habits that we will discuss is keeping a sleep diary. This is something that is very simple to do but very few people do it. In your diary, you should write everything that has an impact on your sleep. Keep track of what you are eating and when you’re eating it, how much and when you are drinking, and your sleeping times in general. When you go through the sleep diary for two weeks, you can have a broader overview of what affects your sleep and what you can do to make it better.
Another healthy habit that is often overlooked is getting to bed at the same time every night. Most people tend to leave their bedtime up to chance and in some cases, they may even suffer from an issue that is known as sleep procrastination. Make it a point to get to bed every night at the same time and you will find that you are much healthier and happier as a result. That being said, if you go to bed and don’t fall asleep for 20 minutes, get up and try again a little later.
Many of us tend to bombard ourselves with unnatural light. It comes from our television, our computers, our tablets and even our cell phone. This light can have an impact on your circadian rhythm and your hormone levels, including melatonin. By shutting off your electronic devices at least 30 minutes before you go to bed, they will be less likely to have an impact on your sleep.
Another habit that is important is to get comfortable when you’re sleeping. Some people tend to fall asleep without really giving comfort much thought but it needs to be a part of your overall sleep habit. This would include the temperature of the room, the amount of light that gets into the room, the clothing that you wear and even taking a shower before you go to bed. All of these factors can make a difference in your overall sleeping abilities.
If you are suffering from any sleep difficulties or if you find it hard to stay awake, even though it seems as if you are getting enough sleep, you may have a medical condition. Come to Better Faster Urgent Care and we can help you to identify the problem and give you options to resolve it.
