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<\/a>Sleep is essential to the health and wellbeing of your mind and body. \u00a0It is amazing we survive the way we do with the demands that are put on us daily. \u00a0But we are just surviving most of the time, when the goal of living is to thrive. \u00a0We could all use a more sleep, but how do we obtain it? \u00a0Here are seven great ways to start getting the most amazing night\u2019s sleep\u2026 every night.<\/p>\n1. Find the right mattress<\/h2>\n
Save that cuppa joe for morning. Non-caffeinated tea is a better choice at night.<\/p><\/div>\n It shouldn\u2019t be a surprise to hear that caffeine, sugar, alcohol, eating too heavy (or too light), and using tobacco products can highly affect your sleep.<\/p>\n Tolerance differs, but in general caffeine has a half-life<\/a> of 7 hours, meaning it takes on average 7 hours for half the amount of caffeine to leave your system. \u00a0Try to avoid caffeine after late morning and remember to look at the ingredients of packaged products for hidden caffeine.<\/p>\n Your workout is important, but give yourself adequate time to calm down and relax between exercising and going to bed.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n While, yes, it is extremely important to maintain a physical activity routine, the time of day you\u2019re working on your fitness can be killing your ability to drift away into dreamland. \u00a0It\u2019s best to exercise in the morning <\/a>or early afternoon, giving your body time to get pumped up and then slowly come down off of the natural high.<\/p>\n While some situations call for longer naps, make sure your naps are between 20-30 minutes to avoid waking up feeling groggy. \u00a0Thirty minutes is just enough time to give us a quick boost of energy without falling into the deep sleep process. \u00a0Keep your nap routine in the early afternoon and keep the room warm and dark.<\/p>\n Following the same before-bed routine as often as possible will help prepare your body to sleep.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Growing up, the majority of us had bedtime routines: dinner, bath, brush teeth, bedtime story. \u00a0Most of the time we drifted right off to sleep and stayed that way until morning.<\/p>\n Just because we got older doesn\u2019t mean we need any less of a routine. \u00a0Life is certainly more crazy and unexpected than a toddler’s, but your brain still works best when it knows what is going to happen next. \u00a0Creating routines is the best way to a good night\u2019s sleep. \u00a0If you follow the same steps before bed every night your brain will eventually start quieting down on its own sooner into that routine because it will know to anticipate the rhythm of the repetition.<\/p>\n<\/a>The right mattress is like the right pair of running shoes. \u00a0Slightly more expensive, yes, but you will never be happier with a decision than finding the mattress that cradles and supports you in all of the most perfect ways. \u00a0One size certainly doesn\u2019t fit all, and you may not get it right on the first or even second try. \u00a0Do your research and find your perfect match; for example, these mattresses work well with platform beds<\/a>.<\/p>\n2. The way you eat is the way you sleep<\/h2>\n
<\/a>3. Physical activity is important, but…<\/h2>\n
<\/a>4. Napping<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Studies have shown power naps are super beneficial to<\/a> brain activity, alertness, problem solving, and creativity. \u00a0But napping too long or too late in the day will only keep you up later that night, lessening the amount of REM-cycled sleep you need.<\/p>\n5. Routine and Rituals<\/h2>\n
<\/a>6. Your bedroom is your sanctuary<\/h2>\n