How to Ready Yourself for Sleep

July 2, 2009 Filed Under: Insomnia

Sleep may be elusive for you. In fact, it may be getting more elusive as time goes by. Perhaps all you need to change is some habits you may have picked up.

Working on improving your pre-sleep habits is called sleep hygiene. Here are some suggestions for good sleep hygiene for you:

*Caffeine. Perhaps as time goes by your body is not as adjusted to taking caffeine as it used to be. Cut out the caffeine (and possibly chocolate too) for a few days and see if that helps. Even caffeine or chocolate taken early in the day can cause problems at bedtime for some people, especially in middle age or later.

*Prolonged evening exercise. Taking you 30-minute walk at bedtime can keep you from sleeping.

*Sugar late in the day. Are you drinking or eating sweets late in the day? Sugar can be a stimulant, and as such can rev you up so you can’t sleep. Beware of natural sugar, too, such as the sugar in orange juice.

*Arguing. Don’t argue with anyone after supper. Just make an appointment for an earnest discussion the following ay.

*Brainstorming. If you have a creative project you love to work on, you may be better off giving yourself a curfew, such as 8 p.m. Otherwise your mind may work on the problem all through the night, keeping you awake.

Finally, let’s talk about what you SHOULD be doing for good sleep hygiene.

*In the evening, keep your activities dull and quiet. Do them calmly.

*If you read near bedtime, read news magazines or other items that have no exciting story line.

*If you want to watch TV or video, watch a documentary rather than a thriller or a whodunit.

Give these practices a try to see whether good sleep hygiene will make a difference for you!

About the Author:
If you desire some suggestions for an insomnia cure, you can try changing your habits in favor of better sleep hygiene. You are looking for an insomnia remedy, but a change of routine may allow you to spend less than other possibilities!