Sleep is paramount to your health. Lack of sleep negatively impacts mental health, concentration, balance, weight, mood, blood pressure and overall ability to think, speak and act clearly.
Plan your evening routine to optimize your sleep. Start your evening by eating dinner early, ideally by 6pm. Avoid overstimulation that causes you to think too much before bed. Instead of watching Netflix or looking at your phone, go for a walk, play games with your family, take a bath and relax.
Clean up your bedroom, make your bed, and make sure it smells clean. Go to bed earlier, ideally by 9:30 p.m., if you’re in a calm, comfortable space. Be aware of your sleep sensitivity. Use blackout blinds if you are sensitive to light. If you’re prone to anxiety, make a thorough to-do list before you go to bed. If you toss and turn, switch to a heavier comforter or weighted blanket. If you live in a city and are annoyed by noise, use the White Noise app. Set the room temperature to 67 degrees for a deeper sleep. Remove cell phones, clocks, laptops, and anything else that creates light or noise from your bedroom.
