What happens when you don’t get a good night’s sleep? A lot of bad things! Getting a full eight hours of sleep is almost impossible these days. With work, school, kids and the need to take on more creative projects than one can handle—sometimes we really tend to burn ourselves out.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, 43% of Americans between the ages of 13 and 64 say they rarely or never get a good night’s sleep on weeknights. More than half (60%) say that they experience a sleep problem every night or almost every night (i.e., waking in the night, waking up too early, etc.). About 63% of Americans say their sleep needs are not being met during the week … Wow! This is not good.
Lack of sleep can negatively affect the mind and body in numerous ways. Studies have shown weight gain, stress, mood swings—you may even go a little crazy! Dream Water is here to help you sleep easy. You can enhance your Dream Water sleeping experience by following the 10 helpful sleeping tips below.
1. Exercise – Not only is it great for your health, but a tired body that received a good day’s work-out, whether yoga or a high impact spin class—will always sleep better.
2. Hot shower – Take a hot shower or bath before you got to sleep. Coming out of a warm shower into a cooler bedroom will cause a slight decrease in body temperature, a drop that scientifically helps trigger a tranquil, drowsy feeling by slowing down essential metabolic activities.
3. Avoid naps – Don’t take away from your precious night’s sleep! Avoid naps particularly in the late afternoon or evening. And if you MUST take a nap, make it a quick 20-minute power nap.
4. Away with technology! – Get off your computer, iPhone and/or T.V. at least 30 minutes before you go to bed. All that social engagement will keep your brain flying 80 mph!
5. No food – Avoid eating at least two hours before you go to bed. Nobody likes to hear/feel the percolating thunder of that left over burrito you decided to snack on before you hit the sack.
6. Read – Pick up a real book with pages (not on a tablet) and feel those eyelids get heavy. You’re giving your eye exercise and allowing your mind to venture into an imaginary world free of the daily stresses.
7. No caffeine – If you can’t do away with it completely, try to consume less caffeine—particularly late in the day. You’ll feel a world of difference.
8. Mattress – Invest in a quality mattress and a pair of sheets that kiss your skin. You will never sleep well if there is a spring stabbing you in the back or a sinkhole in the middle of your bed.
9. Breathing exercises – We’re not trying to get all yogi on you here, but a proper and relaxing breathing exercise before bed works wonders.
10. Music – Whether you’re listening to white noise, waves crashing or a little Portishead—put on something that relaxes you on a very low decibel. It’s like a lullaby to your brain.
