How did you sleep last night?

Yesterday was World Sleep Day. Research is showing that sleep is not only important to our energy level and mood but is also closely tied to our longevity.  If sleep eluded you last night, try some of these tips for better rest tonight and in the future:

Cut back on caffeine. Response to caffeine varies person to person, but this drug remains in your system far longer than most people realize. The half-life of caffeine is several hours. This means that your morning coffee is still hanging around at lunchtime, and you may still have a quarter of the caffiene in your system at dinnertime.

Move during the day. People who exercise regularly report more satisfying sleep. Be sure to finish your workout at least three hours before bed to make sure you have proper time to relax and cool down.

Make your room dark. Light can disrupt our body’s natural secretion of melatonin. Making your room dark and avoiding blue light that is emitted from electronic devices before bedtime can help ensure our body maintains its natural circadian rhythm. If you needs some help blocking blue light, try blue light filtering glasses. 

Avoid alcohol within three hours of bedtime. While alcohol can make you sleepy, it alters the brainwave activity in your brain, preventing restorative sleep.

Relax before bed. Create an evening routine that puts you in a relaxed frame of mind. Try reading a neutral book, journaling or taking a hot bath. A hot bath with Epsom salts relaxes muscles and reduces tension through the help of magnesium sulfate.  

If sleep continues to be a concern let’s talk. Addressing hormones, blood sugar balance and stress management are also important for proper sleep.

Schedule an appointment with Relish Health today.