Sleep better at night by trying out these tips that will leave you feeling energised when you get up in the morning.
- Have a cuppa
30 minutes before bed, brew yourself a warm cup of chamomile tea. Containing mild sedating properties that are able to fight off jitteriness or irritating sensations which do not allow you to feel sleepy, chamomile is a popular herb that has a proven ability to lift moods and combat sleep deprivation, helping you sleep faster and better.
- Power down
Be it a mobile phone, tablet or a laptop, the soft blue glow emitted from these devices all have the ability to disrupt your sleep. As such, avoid using them within an hour of your bedtime. Your bed is for sleeping, and your mind needs to be in the habit of knowing that if you are in bed, you are there to sleep. - Dim the lights
A couple of hours before heading to bed, try dimming the lights around your home. As lower light levels mimic night time, this will, in turn, help your body to better stimulate the release of melatonin, which is a hormone that brings on sleep. If there are light sources in your room you can’t dim or switch off – for example, a digital alarm clock – a comfy eye mask would do the trick.
- Take a hot bath
Besides relieving tension and soothing stiff muscles, taking a hot shower can also help you get a cosy night’s sleep. When you get out of the shower, your body temperature will drop to match the surrounding, and this change signals to your body that it’s time to rest, slowing down essential metabolic functions to trigger a tranquil, drowsy feeling that will help put you to sleep.
This was adapted from an article originally published in the February 2018 issue of SquareRooms.
