Five Tips for a Better Bedtime Routine

There is a saying that many follow, and it goes, "work hard and play hard," but one of the things that it does not mention is sleeping. For many that both work and play hard, getting enough sleep is the thing that is hard for them. They can't seem to get into a comfortable sleep routine, and eventually it catches up with them. The lack of sleep can affect people in various ways. Some might find themselves with less energy for playing. Others might find that they start to doze off when sitting at their desks. An even more dangerous situation may arise where they start to doze off while driving. This is why it is important to create a better bedtime routine to get enough sleep each night.

1. Choose The Right Mattress For You

A mattress choice is a very personal one. If you are sharing a mattress with a loved one, you might find that you need to compromise to select one that fits both of your bedtime routines. A latex mattress can fit the needs for both members of a couple. They can find one that is a satisfactory match between firmness and comfort. Don't forget to flip the mattress several times a year to increase the life of that mattress once you have chosen it.

2. Sleep On The Same Side Of The Bed Each Night

This might seem like a strange suggestion, but repetition creates comfort. This is why choosing a side of the mattress you sleep on after getting married is a very important one. If you or your partner snore frequently when sleeping, this can influence the side of the bed that you choose. Choose the side of the bed so that when you sleep in your most comfortable position you are not facing your partner. It might not be very romantic, but neither is having someone snore in their ear all night.

3. Adjust Your Eating Patterns

Your body needs time to process the food that you eat into energy. Your body also tends to develop a cycle of doing this. This is why many nutrition and weight loss professionals recommend stopping eating several hours before bed. This way you are still awake, and able to burn off the calories you consume from eating food. If you eat and then go directly to bed, you are not doing any active activities after eating, and the calories burn very slowly while you are laying down resting or sleeping.

4. Set A Television Viewing Schedule

Think of your television viewing schedule as a way to train your body for what to expect next. If you set a schedule of a couple of entertainment shows, then a short viewing of news, and follow that up with sleep, your body will start to expect it. Your mind will adjust to the pattern, and it will offer a calming effect to have a constant pattern before sleep. This will allow you to be relaxed, and less restless as you try to fall asleep.

5. Finish Each Night With Quiet Time

The final step in your sleep preparation each night should be spending a few minutes laying down, and doing something that is calming to you. Some people find that reading is a good way to wind down and, "tire out their eyes." Others will play on their cell phones, or other portable electronic devices. Choosing this last activity that is not strenuous, but is relaxing is a way to slowly enter your sleep process each night.

A Routine Is Key

The exact routine that you use before going to bed is not nearly as important as the fact that you have a routine. Setting a routine prepares your body for sleep each night. Once you have established your routine, stick with it. If you do this, and don't vary the routine, you will find that your sleep periods will be much more satisfying.