3 Proven Ways to Get a Good Night Sleep Between the Seasons

While a proper night’s sleep is critical to our health and happiness, more Americans than ever are not getting the recommended 8 hours of rest every night.

Here are just a few of the proven changes you can make during the day to help carry you off to sleep.

Tip #1 Watch What You’re Eating and Drinking

Many people think that having a nightcap can help them relax and unwind from the day; however, alcoholic drinks are harmful because while they may relax you, the alcohol will keep you from entering the REM sleep period where your body reenergizes itself.

Another great tip is to avoid big meals before heading to bed. That midnight snack may be appealing, but it can also contain sugars that will stimulate your brain and cause painful heartburn that will keep sleep far away.

Tip #2 Put Away the Bright Screens

While many of us like to bring our phones or laptops to bed, exposing our brains to these devices right before bed has been shown to negatively impact our sleep cycles.

The blue light coming from your cell phone or laptop will cause your brain to decrease its melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep.

If you absolutely must have your phone close by at night in case of work or emergencies, be sure to turn down the brightness or download an orange screen app that will minimize your blue light exposure.

Tip #3 Keep Active and Consider Working Out

Strenuous workouts are not only great for your overall health and fitness, but they’re wonderful for your sleeping habits too! Exercising as little as 30 minutes every day can do wonders for your sleep experience, as it exhausts your body’s energy and releases pent up stress and anxieties.

However, you shouldn’t work out right before bed, as this will just cause your metabolism to rise and will release the hormone cortisol that will keep you awake. For best results, work out 2-3 hours before your planned bedtime.

As the seasons change and the days last longer, it can be hard to get a good night’s sleep, but there’s no better solution than a new mattress to get you through the change. Give our sleep comfort experts a call today at 1(712) 255-3575 or visit us online to see our superb mattress selection.