5 Hidden Ways to Get Better Sleep

For those of us struggling to get a better night’s sleep, it can be incredibly frustrating. Tossing and turning, laying there staring at the ceiling, getting more and more frustrated and even more stressed knowing that in just a few short hours we will have to get up and go to work. But I have five hidden ways you can find your way back to a good night’s sleep. rnBlue Light and Your Phone rnThe number one reason we have problems going to sleep is that of something we call blue light. A type of light that used in almost all electronic devices from our monitors to our smartphones. If we could, we should only ever use alternative light sources, as blue light really messes up with the production of melatonin in your system, a key hormone that your body needs to produce for you to have a good night’s sleep. So, turn off those electronics and also consider turning on night mode that you already probably have access to on your iPhone and on your monitor, which can help as well. rnCheck Your Medication rnIf you are taking any medication to talk to your pharmacist about any problems you have sleeping, as another hidden culprit of sleep deprivation can be the medication that you are taking right now. rnCool It Down rnRead online about the best way to get to sleep and probably one of the first suggestions that you will read is that exercise can really help. The problem with that advice is that foolishly they don’t always tell you that you shouldn’t exercise within 4 hours of the time that you want to go to sleep. It takes that long for your body to cool down properly. And cooling down is one of the absolute best-hidden ways to get a better night’s sleep. So, say no to warm baths, instead find the coolest room in your house to sleep in or consider running the AC not in the middle of the day, but an hour before you want to go to sleep and be ready to be surprised by how fast your body decides it is ready to go to sleep. rnBedtime Stories rnYes, bedtime stories. If it works for kids why would you think it wouldn’t work for you now as an adult? The reason that bedtime stories work is that it takes your mind off two things. It distracts you from thinking about anything stressful or exciting or possibly fun and it also distracts from thinking about how you can’t go to sleep! Which we all know is a sleep killer. But remember about that blue light problem with electronics so pick some good old-fashioned books and get ready to zonk out. rnIt is When You Get Up that Counts rnBut the most hidden and surprising answer on the best way to get a good night’s sleep is to make sure you get up at the same time every single day. No more sleeping in for you on the weekends ever again. It takes about three weeks but keeps this rule and you will soon be sleeping like the proverbial baby.