Courtesy: Julia Merrill, Befriendyourdoc.org
Photo via Pixabay by Free-Photos
Getting adequate rest is something millions of American adults and children struggle with each year. For some, early wakefulness is a problem; others simply can’t get to sleep and lie awake for hours. Still, others sleep for the required amount of time but wake up feeling exhausted. Lack of sleep can wreak terrible havoc on the body and mind, leaving us feeling irritable and out of sorts; it can affect the memory and our ability to function well during the day. These far-reaching consequences can also affect our jobs and our relationships with the people we love.
This is why it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough good sleep — that is, REM sleep, where you reach a deep dream state — every night. Whether you’re a teen or a senior, good rest is something that isn’t negotiable, but it’s not always easy to find a good balance. Staying up too late, waking up too early, and having distractions (such as smartphones and other devices) in your bedroom are all things that can affect your ability to sleep well.
Keep reading for some great tips on how you can get better rest.
Create a Routine
Routines aren’t just great for kids; they can be an essential part of anyone’s day and help things go more smoothly, from getting to work on time to waking up feeling rested. A good sleep routine might include relaxing before bed with a hot shower, laying out clothing and other necessities for the next day, and putting away all device at least an hour beforehand. These actions can help reduce stress and anxiety and leave you feeling relaxed and ready to rest.
Make Your Room the Perfect Place to Sleep
Your bedroom should be as comfortable as possible, so make it a haven. Use soft bedding, blackout curtains, and dim lighting to create a relaxed atmosphere, and make sure you choose neutral or calming colors for paint and decor. If your bedroom is a high-energy color — such as red or yellow — it could be keeping you awake at night. Go for greens and blues, and save the bright colors for the kitchen area so you can wake up in the morning. For more information about how color affects your sleep habits, read on here.
Get Organized
A lack of organization doesn’t just affect your daily life; it affects your children, as well. A good way to help everyone in your family sleep better is to declutter, find storage solutions for every room in the house, and make mornings easy-breezy. You might have everyone lay out their clothes, shoes, and backpacks for the following day by setting up an area near the door for each child’s belongings; this will help cut down on the chaos that school mornings can bring and will reduce stress for everyone, which can, in turn, help sleep come easier.
Don’t Let the Weekends Fool You
Sleeping in on the weekends can be a lovely luxury, but it can also hinder your ability to sleep during the first part of the week, which is when you need your energy. The same is true for your little ones, so be careful about letting them stay up too late on their days off. Once you get off your schedule and sleep late, you’ll start staying up later at night, which will leave you groggy and irritable come Monday morning. When the kids have spring, summer, and fall breaks, make sure they get back to their normal routine a day or two before they actually go back to school.
Finding good sleep doesn’t have to be stressful. Start by creating a good routine that the entire family can stick to, and remember that your diet and exercise routine can affect your ability get rest, as well. With a little careful planning, you and your loved ones can rest easy all year long.