As you probably know, sleep is important for your overall health and wellbeing. As a personal trainer, I tell all my clients that if they want to improve their health, focusing on getting a good night’s sleep should be a top priority. Here are some tips and tricks to getting a better night’s sleep.
Put your phone away at least an hour before bed
Besides the blue light issue, staying off social media and away from your work email can help you destress and hopefully fall asleep faster.
Try journaling or making a to-do list before bed to help calm your mind
If you have a racing mind that keeps you from falling asleep, try writing your thoughts out in a journal or even just making a to-do list for the next day. This can help put your mind at ease.
Get organized before bed
Having a plan and being prepared for the next morning can also help you relax before bed. Getting your clothes picked out, bag packed and even breakfast ready will make waking up the next day easier and less chaotic.
Go for a walk, especially in the morning
A morning walk has been shown to help with melatonin regulation and improve mood.
Watch your caffeine intake
Having coffee in the afternoon can make it harder to fall asleep. Stop drinking coffee around four to six hours before bed so it doesn’t affect your sleep.
Try to stay on a consistent schedule
While this can be difficult, waking up and going to sleep at the same time everyday is the best way to go to sleep easily and wake up feeling good.
It's completely normal to have a bad night’s sleep every now and again. When this happens, do your best to make it through the day. If you’ve gotten under five hours of sleep, it might be best to skip your workout or reduce the intensity since your body will be tired. Just stretching and getting to bed early is how you can best take care of yourself in this situation.