Most people can appreciate that poor sleep or the lack of sleep, can have a big detrimental effect on our mood, but yet, we often don't put enough effort into getting our 7-8 hours of good quality sleep.
So my challenge for you today is "to get your 7-8 hours of good quality sleep" by implementing these simple sleep hygeine strategies.
- More exercise during the day and avoid strenuous exercise prior to sleep.
- Make a commitment to sleep at a particular time, for example 1030pm at night, and stick to it so that it becomes a habit. Also, try to wake up at a regular time as well, for example, 730am. Remember that it can take up to 50 days of consistent behaviour for things to become habit so please persevere.
- If you have a list of things to do, write it down, and tell yourself to leave it for the next "working" day.
- Avoid coffee and tea late in the day due to the caffeine content. Also avoid smoking as it can act as a stimulant. Alcohol may help with sleep, but has an negative impact on the quality of sleep.
- Create a sleep inducing environment, for example a dark, quiet room.
- Taking a warm shower may help. The lowering of the temperature post shower may help with sleep induction.
- Early morning sunlight stimulation may help to "reset the body clock".
- Use bed for sleep only, as this will help to condition your mind that "bed is for sleep".
- Avoid long term use of sleeping tablets as these are generally short term gain and long term pain scenarios.
- If one requires an antidepressant for depression or anxiety, some antidepressants have a better profile for sleep. Please ask you Doctor regarding these.
Good sleeping....
