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Behavioral Changes for Healthy Sleep Habits

Healthy Sleep Habits

By Biswajit DeyPublished 2 years ago 5 min read
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Behavioral Changes for Healthy Sleep Habits
Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash

Habits at Bedtime

It is essential that your brain has consistency by creating a bedtime schedule so that your body can learn how to fall asleep without medication. Create a sleep strategy to determine the best routine, and plan to follow the routine for one to two weeks before making any alterations. Your sleep strategy should include:

 A regular bedtime

 A consistent wake time

 A record of any natural supplements you have tried

 Routine activities that are not stimulating such as brushing your teeth or

reading

Moving through a regular bedtime process will signal to your brain that it’s time to go to sleep. The desired end result of having a sleep strategy is regular sleep that’s restful and refreshing. Plan to get 7-8 hours of sleep nightly, and don’t allow yourself to oversleep. If you wake up the same time every day you’ll establish a routine. Avoid naps during the day because your body will be confused, and it will interrupt your sleep pattern. You can’t bank extra hours of sleep, and trying to sleep later in the morning to make up for sleep lost overnight will leave you feeling tired. Every person has different sleep habits, so be patient while you work through the process of finding the sleep plan that works best for you.

By Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash

Sleep Environment

In addition to a regular bedtime schedule, it is important to make you bedroom a place that is conducive to sleep. The more comfortable and relaxing your sleep space is, the better your chances for falling asleep and staying asleep. Consider these tips when creating your relaxing sleep atmosphere:

 Get rid of all annoyances and interruptions.

 Control the room temperature; cooler air (between 65 and 70 degrees F)

is typically more comfortable for sleep, however, set the temperature to

your preference.

 Allow for room ventilation, if possible. Crack a window slightly to allow for

air flow. The circulating fresh air will help you breathe deeply, and provide

oxygen that is essential for good sleep.

 Use ear plugs if there are noises outside the bedroom. There are many

types of plugs that are specifically for sleeping, so if at first you don’t find

the perfect pair, try another.

 Mask noises with a white noise machine if you decide to not wear

earplugs. Machines are designed specifically for this purpose, or you can

use a fan or air conditioner to provide the background noise. This will hide

background sounds such as traffic or a barking dog.

 Try using a CD player to play soothing background music.

 Your circadian rhythm, your body’s internal clock, relies on light and dark

patterns to determine when to signal your body to fall asleep. Keep your

room as dark as possible to help your body settle into a sleep state. Use

mini-blinds and thick curtains to block light from windows. Try wearing an

eye mask to block any remaining light.

 Having a clock by your bedside might be adding to your sleep problem. If

you are watching the clock all night long, face it toward the wall so that

you can’t see the time. Constantly looking at the clock only makes you

think about sleep, and lack of sleep, which continues the cycle of

sleeplessness.

 Consider a room humidifier for winter months when the air is dry.

 Use your room only for sleeping. Remove the TV, computer, stereo. Your

mind should associate your bedroom only with sleep.

 Wear the most comfortable clothing you own. Non-constrictive clothing

won’t wake you in the middle of the night.

As you can see here, there are many different tips to try to help you sleep better. Each individual has their own unique combination of elements that make up their perfect sleep environment. If one suggestion doesn’t work for you, make note and try another until you find out what works best for you.

By Zohre Nemati on Unsplash

Sleep Equipment

Also important to the sleep environment is the equipment used when sleeping. Sleep equipment includes the pillow, bedding, mattress, and sleep clothes. Your mattress should be smooth and firm so that your back is well-supported and your body is comfortable when lying down. Make sure the mattress is supported completely by the bed frame to avoid sagging. The mattress should also be appropriately sized for your body. Make sure you have a big enough bed so that you have enough space. If you have a single or double bed, consider buying a larger queen or king sized mattress. Use whatever style and type of pillow you find most comfortable. It doesn’t matter what it’s made of as long as it provides you with neck and head support. The sheets and blankets should be clean and pressed. If you do not like feeling tucked in, loosen the sheets so that your feet can move around freely. To find the right temperature for you, experiment with different blankets of a variety of weights and materials. Since a cool room is most conducive to sleep, keep the lower temperature in mind when selecting bedding. Find a sleep position that is comfortable for you and lay in that position so that your body knows it’s time for sleep. Whether it is lying on your back, on your side, or on your stomach, your favorite position will help you instantly get relaxed.

advicebodydietfitnesshealthhow tohumanitylifestylemeditationmental health
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