Improve Your Sleep and Decrease Your Stress
Do you get drowsy during the day? Are you less alert than youÂ’d like to be? For many, the switch to Daylight Savings Time brings sleeplessness as our bodies adjust to longer days. There are a number of simple things you can do to help yourself get a better nightÂ’s sleep.
Pender Island, BC (PRWEB) May 17, 2005
Results from a past National Sleep Foundation poll indicate that inadequate sleep may lead to many of todayÂ’s health & societal problems, such as anger, stress and obesity. Poll results show that while many Americans enjoy the benefits of sufficient sleep, as many as 47 million adults may be putting themselves at risk for injury, health and behavior problems because they aren't meeting their minimum sleep need in order to be fully alert the next day. People in this army of the walking tired are more likely to sit and seethe in traffic jams, quarrel with other people, or overeat, according to the findings.*
How can you improve your quality and length of sleep? Here are some suggestions of things you can do just before bedtime to help you get a good nightÂ’s rest:
Take a 20 minute walk in a quiet area Soak in the bath Meditate or do some light stretching while breathing slowly and deeply Read rather than watch TV, which can over stimulate the senses and make falling sleep difficult Open a window slightly to improve the air circulation and prevent the room from getting stuffy As you lie in bed, empty your mind – don’t allow yourself to think about tomorrow’s list of tasks
One more tip: The most restful sleep takes place in complete darkness. Close the curtains or blinds to prevent the early morning light from waking you before your body is ready. If that still isnÂ’t dark enough, consider investing in a good quality sleep mask to block the light completely.
A great example can be found at Props For Life (www. propsforlife. com). Their silk eye masks combine a unique, comfort design with the gentle weight of flax and lavender (also available unscented) to help you fall asleep faster. According to owner/designer Theresa Carle-Sanders, sleep masks are also popular with business travelers and shift workers, whose schedules often make it difficult to fall asleep without help.
*source: www. sleepfoundation. org
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