A good night’s rest is essential for mental and physical health. Sleep deprivation increases your risk of weight gain, Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and a weaker immune system, making it easier for you to catch a cold. This is why it’s important to have a good pillow and a good mattress or King Mattress Topper.
Sleeping Habits
The habits you have during the day and the environment in which you sleep can significantly impact the quality of your slumber. Fortunately, you can change these behaviors and have more sound nights of rest.
Experts say that the key to good sleep hygiene is healthy sleeping habits. These include getting enough sleep, following a bedtime routine and avoiding disruptive habits. Also, avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime and eat a balanced meal.
Simple changes can improve your sleep. These habits should start when you’re young and continue throughout your life. The researchers behind this research found that people who follow all five of the sleep habits above added nearly five extra years to their life span, even when they took into account other factors, such as education and alcohol consumption.
Your brain’s internal clock is partly responsible for controlling your body’s sleep and wake cycle. This clock is sensitive to the light coming from the sun or your surroundings. This natural rhythm will make you feel more rested, energized and energetic.
Avoid watching TV late at night as the backlit screens suppress melatonin and can disrupt your sleep pattern. Try relaxing activities like reading, taking a warm shower or meditation. If you still can’t fall asleep after 30 minutes, try moving to another room to do something else. Avoid the temptation to watch the clock as this will only keep you awake.
Exercise regularly and make sure you aren’t overtraining just before bed. A balanced diet is important. Avoiding foods high in sugar, salt, and fat can help you avoid weight gain.
Routines For Bedtime
Every person has a nighttime ritual, whether they realize it or not. It’s a series of activities you perform in the hours before bed to set your mind and body up for sleep. It’s also a key component of healthy sleep and is known as good sleep hygiene.
Consistency in your routine is important so that your mind learns the signals that indicate it’s almost time to go to bed. A typical routine includes turning off screens, adjusting the bedroom environment, and performing soothing activities.
Some of these calming activities may include taking a warm bath, listening to soothing music or practicing breathing exercises. These activities can activate the parasympathetic system, also known as “rest and digest”, which promotes a good night’s rest. You should avoid stimulating activities such as watching television or scrolling social media before bed because they stimulate the brain and suppress melatonin production.
You should also avoid drinking alcohol and eating heavy meals a few hours before bedtime. These foods and beverages can cause indigestion which can interfere with your sleep. You should also stop consuming caffeine about three to four hours before bedtime, because it can keep you awake.
A regular bedtime ritual is a great tool to help you prepare for sleep. It will also help you fall asleep more quickly and easily. Set your routine to start two to three hours prior to your desired bedtime. This gives you time to complete your routine before going to bed. You should also make your bed comfortable for sleeping and have all your pillows and blankets ready so that you can just jump in bed.
Avoiding Screen Time
Sleeping more can be a powerful remedy for improving your health. Sleeping enough can prevent diseases, boost intelligence and reduce stress. Sleep can prevent drowsy-driving and lower the risk for heart disease. However, sleep deprivation can make it difficult to get a good night’s rest, and too much time spent in front of screens can also harm our health.
There is increasing evidence that media use can affect sleep negatively, especially when done close to bedtime. The light emitted from screens can interfere our natural production melatonin which is essential for a good sleep. Additionally, viewing stimulating content, such as watching TV or playing mobile games, can keep your brain engaged and prevent you from falling asleep.
It is best to stop using electronic devices at least two hours and ideally, 60 minutes before you go to sleep. In addition, staring down at your tablet or phone for extended periods of time may cause strain on the neck muscle and small bones near your spine. This can lead to back pain, which may interfere with your sleep.
In general, it is important to balance screen time with other activities, such as exercising, eating nutritious foods and socializing with friends. It is also essential to create a space where digital distractions are not allowed, such as in the bedroom or sleep area. Try reading a book, or doing something relaxing if you have trouble falling asleep at night. You could even try mediation. You could also leave your phone in another room or on airplane mode while you sleep.
Avoiding Toxins
One of the best ways to detox is to get a good night’s sleep and drink plenty of water. A good night’s sleep and proper hydration will help to flush the brain of toxic substances that can cause neurodegeneration.
This is because, during deep sleep (the fourth and fifth stages), your brain releases growth hormones that help repair muscles, bones and immune cells. This process is called “sleep detox.”
Additionally, during sleep, the permeability of the blood-brain barrier increases. This allows the brain the opportunity to eliminate toxic molecules that are associated with neurodegeneration and appear during the day due to stress, anxiety, and feelings of burnout.
Lack of exercise, poor nutrition and high levels nicotine and caffeine can also lead to toxic buildup in the brain. These toxins can lead to mental fogginess, a reduced ability to concentrate and even depression. Getting a good night’s rest and avoiding toxins can help improve mental focus, mood and performance. As a result of this, sleep is regarded as one of the three pillars to healthy living, alongside nutrition and exercise.
Getting The Right Pillow And Mattress
Many people underestimate the impact that their pillow and mattress can have on their quality of sleep. If you’re constantly waking up with a stiff neck or sore shoulders, it might be time to invest in the right ones.
The best pillows support your neck, head and spine so that you can maintain a healthy alignment of your spine while you sleep. The right pillow can also be used to treat sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleeping apnea, and prevent snoring.
When looking for the best pillow, first consider your dominant sleep position. Your spine and neck support needs will be determined by whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach. Back sleepers should choose a pillow which supports the natural curve in their neck without being too high so as to stress their neck muscles. Side sleepers need a firmer, higher pillow to keep their head elevated off the mattress. However, it shouldn’t be too high so as to cause shoulder strain. Stomach sleepers will want a softer pillow that is low in height and won’t put pressure on their face or chest, which can lead to the appearance of crush lines and wrinkles.
