Sleep is something we all enjoy. Or at least, we should. Saying goodbye to the stresses of the world and having a long night of peaceful rest is something we all deserve. For many people, though, sleep can be frustrating; there are many factors that contribute to a bad night’s sleep. Most importantly, though, sleep is essential to our wellbeing. In order to concentrate, feel energized, balance our mood, and allow our body to rest, we must sleep well – most of the time, anyway.
During the COVID-19 crisis, something many of us have been able to enjoy is a longer period of rest. However, if you’re somebody who struggles to sleep, this added opportunity might have made life more stressful. Here are the top three ways you can get a better night’s sleep!
Calming your environment
Having a chaotic sleeping environment definitely contributes to poor sleep. It’s understandable – many people have children, long working hours and little time to achieve that zen that’s optimal for deep sleep. This being said, you could be losing sleep simply by ignoring your need for calm in your bedroom.
Having a calm environment doesn’t mean spending hours meditating and burning incense, although that can work for some people. Creating calm can, believe it or not, be as simple as tidying up. Having a tidy space free of clutter and mess can soothe your brain and enable you to relax more quickly. It’s also a good opportunity to have a clear-out of all your unwanted knick-knacks, developing a more minimal space in your room and helping you relax.
Other small changes to make to your space are to invest in a few air-purifying houseplants, which not only help you breathe more easily, but also make the space look gorgeous!
Looking inward
Some people experience physical pain when they’re sleeping, either during the night or when they wake up. This can be down to a plethora of reasons, and perhaps you’re aware of them. Many health issues can contribute to interrupted sleep.
A lot of sleep pain is usually pinpointed in your back. After all, your back is resting against your mattress, and anything from the density of the mattress to the position of your head and neck on the pillow can cause back pain. If you’re concerned that you’re experiencing back pain from poor sleep, or vice versa, visit an osteopath. A professional can help re-calibrate your spine and relax your muscles.
Noise as a sleep-aid
Listening to noise while you’re trying to sleep might sound counterintuitive. However, recent research shows that listening to certain noises can promote better sleep. There is now a brilliant array of sleep-enhancing soundscapes available on YouTube and other platforms. From low, rumbling music to whale and dolphin sounds, you might be surprised at the sounds which send you to sleep. Quit counting sleep and use your technology to help you get that rest you deserve.
