sarah

When I was a young and vibrant college student I didn’t require much sleep.  Evenings out on the town began no earlier than midnight and it was rare if I made it home before the sun rose.  I could pull all-­nighters with no problem before an exam.  

However, that stamina has drastically changed in my thirties.  In addition to wanting all of the beauty rest I can possibly manage to preserve what youthful looks I may have left, I have also noticed an extreme drop in my productivity at work when I'm sleep deprived.  I recently read that a lack of sleep is often associated with weight gain and increased incidents of diabetes and other health issues.  No thank you.

11.5.TW
Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's
 

Seems easy, right?  Just go to bed earlier.  Not so easy for those of us with insomnia or who have trouble putting the worries of the day aside when it’s time to relax.  With no help from the elusive Mr. Sandman, I give to you my five ways to help you drift into La La Land and avoid endless nights of stress and watching the minutes tick by without any shut eye.

Five Ways to Help You Get a Good Night's Sleep:

1) Tune it Out - A snoring mate (or annoying car alarm outside) can keep you from dreamland.  Try Itunes Sleep Pillow Sounds through a pair of fleece lined comfort headphones (essential for the side sleeper!).

2) Cool Down - Most people sleep better when the temperature is a bit below normal.  Try setting your thermostat to 67 degrees or lower.  Also, consider a cooling mattress if you're one of those sleepers who finds themselves kicking the covers off throughout the night.

3) Exercise Your Body to Bed - (Not that kind of exercise!)  Relaxation tricks can calm your body down and leave you floating and tranquil.  Start with your toes and contract or curl them for seven seconds before releasing.  Continue this pattern with the muscles all of the way up to your neck ­if you're able to stay awake long enough.

4) Write it Down - Many of us make the mistake of crawling into bed before we have properly processed the day’s stressors.  This often leads to racing minds and tossing and turning throughout the night.  Try winding down at least two hours before bedtime by keeping a journal of the ‘big things’.  By writing them down you are sending the message to your brain that you are dedicating time to them and putting them away before it is time to relax and go to sleep.  

5) Log It­ - Keeping documentation of your habits can help you figure out what is preventing you from sleeping soundly.  Factors such as when you work­out to your alcohol intake can influence your ability to fall asleep more than you think.  Try and hone in on the perfect combo of daily activities to ensure a restful night. 

 

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