It doesn’t matter what else you do: if you’re not consistently sleeping well, then you won’t be at your best. Most people are grouchier when they’re tired, which makes all aspects of life less enjoyable, and plus, not getting enough hours of sleep each night can lead to a whole host of health-related issues. Obesity, depression, high blood pressure and heart disease are just a few of the serious health risks of sleep deficiency.
You can’t guarantee that you’ll get a good night’s sleep every night. You can, however, maximise your chances of getting 6-8 hours of sleep by creating a sleep-friendly home. Below, we’ll run through a few handy tips that, when you put them all together, should ensure that you can easily reach the land of nod when you get into bed.
1. Switch off the internet
OK, maybe turning off the internet completely isn’t a realistic ambition. However, could you think about turning it off after a certain hour (say, 8pm)? There’s been a huge rise in the number of people struggling with sleep in the last decade or so, and it’s thought that heavy screen time is a major contributing factor. You’ll be much less likely to look at your devices if the internet is off; instead, look at reading a book, journaling and other activities that will prepare your body and mind for sleep.
2. Make it relaxing
There are times when you’ll get back from work late, full of stress thanks to the day you’ve had. While you may want to fall asleep in those moments, the reality is that you may be too stressed to do so. You’ll need to get yourself into a relaxing position before you get into bed, so why not look at adding some calming elements to your home? You could add a steam shower like the ones available at https://vidalux.co.uk/steam-showers/, and enjoy your very own spa-like experience. Or what about adding a hammock to your garden, which will allow you to spend your summer evenings resting your body and elevating your spirit?
3. Eliminate external light and noise
It can be challenging to fall asleep. Once you have, you’ll hope that you stay in that position until morning. If you’re a light sleeper, then you may find that you’re waking up due to noise and light pollution from the street. You can increase the chances of staying asleep through the night by blocking out external light and noise. This is easily achieved by adding blackout curtains and wearing earplugs and a sleep mask. With nothing to distract you in the land of nod, you’ll be likely to wake up feeling completely refreshed.
4. Upgrade your bedding
Finally, consider upgrading your bedding. Given the amount of time you spend in bed, you should feel comfortable with the idea of splurging a little – no one ever regrets spending a little extra cash to get bedding that they genuinely love. A great mattress and soft cotton sheets can make all the difference to your sleep quality.