As summer begins to wind down you may find that your sleep patterns are still affected. Even though the weather gets cooler and the nights get longer you might feel a bit out of sync during the transition. Here are some useful suggestions to help improve your sleep during the autumn season.
Cut Back on Stimulants Before Bed
This is a terrible habit that far too many people do without realizing it harms their ability to get good sleep. Stimulants like alcohol, caffeine, and sugar can keep you energized well after bedtime. Start skipping the candy bar in the afternoon, dessert after dinner, and coffee or tea before bed, and you should hopefully be on your way to more restful nights.
Turn Everything Off Before Bed
For people who tend to wake up multiple times a night, the problem might not be falling asleep but staying asleep and getting back to sleep. This might be from your TV, phone, and other electronics all night long. Even if your TV goes off automatically after a certain period, it could keep you from getting deep sleep in the first couple of hours before that happens. Some people even have disrupted sleep just from the lights in front of the cable box, so you may need to cover it at night to avoid this distraction.
Stop Using Your Phone at Night
Like switching off your TV it’s also an idea to keep your phone turned off whenever possible. If you use it as an alarm you might want to try placing it or switching to a regular alarm clock, on your nightstand.
Many people have developed the habit of checking their phones as they wake up. However this exposes them to all their notifications, which can stimulate the mind and keep them thinking about it for periods. If possible consider turning off your phone.
Find a Relaxing Pre-Bed Activity
If you are still too energetic before bed, think of a quiet and relaxing activity that helps you to get tired before bed. This might be reading a book, taking a hot bath, listening to soft music while turning on your essential oil diffuser, or a creative activity like using an adult coloring book. These are simple to add to your nighttime routine and make a big difference.
