Some nights it’s harder than others to get a good night’s sleep. For some folks, maybe you, good sleep is pretty rare. If you’re not getting a restful 7-9 hours each night, your health could be negatively affected. Fatigue, poor concentration and poor reflexes are familiar side-effects of a lousy night’s sleep, but did you know that weak digestion and a tendency to get sick more often may also be due to your poor sleep? There are sleeping pills, both over-the-counter and prescription, but most of these don’t provide the nourishing and refreshing sleep that our bodies crave. Fortunately there is something you can do to feel better!
Be Aware of “Blue Light”
Computers and mobile devices emit a “blue light” that can interfere with melatonin production. This means that the more time you spend with your computer or mobile device (or in a brightly lit room) before bed, the harder it will be to get to sleep. Try turning off your electronics 2-3 hours before going to bed. If that sounds impossible, try one of the services that changes the color of your screen at sunset.
Try an Herbal Sleep Formula
There are a number of herbs and herbal products out there to help improve your quality of sleep. Every person’s needs are a little different, so you may need to try more than one before you find the right one for you. Valerian root is a classic sleep herb. It is relaxing without making you groggy and has a mild muscle relaxant effect for people who have lots of tension in their neck and shoulders.
De-Stress!
Feeling stressed out makes it even harder to sleep! Eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and get regular exercise, of course! Also try meditation, doodling or adult coloring books (don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it!), or other relaxing activities that you enjoy. Getting good sleep is so important, you deserve to feel better!
Thanks for the tip on changing the color of my pc screen in the evening. Found a free service online.
You’re welcome! Our office feels much more comfortable since we switched to f.lux!
How about an articles pertaining to sleep problems due to perimenopause and menopause? I had no trouble sleeping until this time of my life to include sleeping with a blue light from electronics or even by leaving the tv on.
We will definitely add that to our list of articles, Karen! Thanks for the suggestion!
How about sleep issues that are adrenal related? Those are a bit tougher to deal with. Also, I have learned that a low-carb diet can really impair sleep. But, of course, you have to select the right type of carbs/fruits at the right time to improve sleep and sleep quality.