It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that sleeping helps our brains function better and puts us in a better mood. But let’s get real. The number one reason to sleep is because it makes us prettier. And according to BBC, that’s not a myth and there’s a study in Sweden to prove it! Untrained observers consistently ranked photographs of sleep deprived people as less attractive than identical photos of the same people when they were well rested (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11993944). Now, this isn’t necessarily a groundbreaking scientific discovery, but hey, all the more reason to make sleeping a priority.
Here’s the catch though – just because sleep is important doesn’t mean we do it. Take me, for example. I’m all about beauty sleep, but whenever I snuggle up in bed, my mind immediately takes off on a marathon with everything I need to get done racing around in my head. It’s not the most relaxing feeling and definitely not sleep-inducing. So, one night as I watched the hours pass by, thinking about who I was going to email tomorrow, when I was going to start working on that paper, whether or not I was prepared for my upcoming test, what I was going to wear, what I should plan for the weekend…(I think you get it by now), I said to myself, “Enough is enough!” Here are some of the best tips I came across to combat the ugly, eye-bag inducing insomnia.
1. Exercise…but not at night!
Exercising will tire out your muscles and make it easier for you to fall asleep. However, because it also increases your heart rate, it energizes you when you finish. The happy medium? Be sure to get your exercise at least four hours before going to bed. That way, you’ll enjoy the energy boost and still sleep well.
2. Before you go to bed, consciously think of everything you need to do and make a list. That way, you won’t continue to worry because you know you’ll still remember in the morning.
3. Don’t drink caffeine in the afternoon, even if you don’t think it has an effect on you.
4. Don’t go to bed on an empty stomach.
5. Dedicate your sleep environment to – you guessed it – sleep. Don’t do work or read in your bed.
6. Don’t let your clock be visible from your bed – watching the time tick away will only increase your stress levels and make you even less likely to fall asleep.
7. Tossing and turning is unproductive. If you can’t sleep, get up, go somewhere else, read or watch TV, and then come back when you feel more relaxed.
8. Have a nighttime ritual. Showering and drinking warm milk are two good ways to wind your body down.
9. Don’t take naps. It will only make it harder to sleep at night, especially if you take one in the afternoon.
10. Do not drink alcohol before going to bed. Even though it may make you drowsy, you will not sleep consistently or for very long. Plus, you’ll wake up with a hangover. Ew.
You know the old saying, “You can sleep when you’re dead”? Don’t buy it. If you want to actually enjoy life, you should start covering your clocks, eliminating the naps, and sleep your way to a better immune system, a sharper memory and a prettier face.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/insomnia-symptoms-and-causes?page=2
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11993944
http://www.helpguide.org/life/insomnia_treatment.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/insomnia/DS00187/DSECTION=lifestyle%2Dand%2Dhome%2Dremedies
http://www.medicinenet.com/insomnia/page4.htm