7 Tips to Get Better Sleep
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5
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Stick to a Schedule
Your body has a strong sense of rhythm. You can either work with it, or against it. To avoid confusing your body (and costing yourself sleep), go to bed and wake up at the same time each day -- even on the weekends.
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Cut the Caffeine
Caffeine can take 8 hours to run its course. The cup of coffee (or soda, or tea) that you had at 5pm could be affecting you until 1am. You'll probably need more coffee in the morning after a long night like that!
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A Nightcap Won't Help
Drinking an alcoholic beverage before bed might make you tired and help you fall asleep, but the booze will keep you in the lighter stages of sleep. You won't get the deep sleep your body craves, and you're likely to wake up in the middle of the night when the alcohol wears off.
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Establish a Nightly Routine
Having a nightly ritual helps your body realize that bed time is coming, so that you're wound down and ready for sleep as soon as your head hits the pillow. Select a nightly activity to begin 30-60 minutes before you go to bed -- it doesn't matter what the activity is, as long as it's not stimulating.
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Try a Soothing Bath
A little time in the tub is a great way to get ready for bed. Play soothing music, light some candles, and add relaxing scents (like lavender oil) to the water. When you get out of the bath, the drop in temperature will naturally make you drowsy, and you're ready to drift off.
