Sleep can be a luxury sometimes. Various circumstances in our life can make it harder to get a good night’s rest, as well as age changing the way our bodies work, both during the day when we’re active but also when it comes to the evening and we try to wind down.
One of the biggest problems of this is that sleep is a cornerstone of good health, for physical and emotional. A few bad nights can trigger chain reactions that leave you feeling pretty rubbish, and wondering what it is that’s getting you down so much.
So, whether you’re suffering from a chronic sleep issue, or are just recently finding it more difficult, we’ve collected a few useful tips and suggestions below.
Enforce Some Strict Sleep Rules
If you’ve had a child or looked after a younger sibling at any point in your life, you’ll know that it’s only through certain rules and routines that developing a good sleep pattern is achievable. As adults, we can sometimes “unlearn” these rules without even releasing them.
A great way to get back on top of your sleep is to quite simply treat yourself as an infant that needs coaching back into a healthy sleep schedule. This can involve the following.
- Create a predictable routine where you follow the same actions each evening, whether it’s the time you eat your dinner or when you have a shower.
- Avoid too much stimulation right before bedtime, whether it’s working too late on your desk or watching TV.
- Use up your energy during the day with planned exercises so you’re not feeling restless when you’re trying to nod off.
- Create a relaxing atmosphere in your home (and at the very least in your bedroom) by lowering the lights, removing distractions and potentially playing music that’s soothing.
Confront Your Worries
If you often lie awake worrying about something, it’s good to actively address these concerns where possible. It could mean talking with your partner or family about what’s bothering you, or creating a list of things you need to do to overcome your issues so your mind can finally stop fixating and rest.
Drop Stimulants
Summer months can ask more from us, as can new jobs or changes in our lifestyle, which can cause us to look to various stimulants and pick-me-ups like coffee, cigarettes, comfort food and alcohol. These are major triggers of bad sleep, so cut them out where possible.
Let’s Talk About It
We’re not necessarily sleep experts, but we do know how the mind and body are connected intricately and how lifestyle choices and certain ailments can lead to poor sleep and other conditions.
If you want to talk with someone about improving this area of your life, or other aspects that a recurrently bothering you, feel free to get in touch with us at Acubody! We offer a range of services such as bodywork therapies, acupuncture and Chinese medicine in London that might be able to help you.
