Prepping for a Good Night's Sleep

Sleep. We fight it when we are kids and we crave it as adults. Sleep is required for our brains to process the days’ information, repairs to the body during the night, and for relaxation of muscles, bones, and joints to reset for the next day. When it evades us, the groggy feeling can be a real disruption to our everyday lives. Finding a routine that you can depend on every night can be helpful to getting a solid night’s rest.

Here’s our top tips for prepping for bedtime:

• Try not to eat a heavy meal within 2 hours of going to bed
• Avoid caffeine too late in the day
• Dim the lights in your room while you are getting ready to end the day- this allows your brain to start calming down and get ready to rest.
• Complete any night time tasks: locking doors, turning on the dishwasher, setting the coffee pot, so they don’t invade your thoughts while you are trying to get to sleep 
• No screens 30 minutes before bed- the best relaxer is to read. If you use an electronic reader, consider blue light glasses
• Change into comfy pajamas.  Choose something in a soft breathable material that’s easy to move around in
• Make sure the room you sleep in is slightly cold and dark. Consider fans for your room or reducing the temperature on your thermostat at night
• Top your normal bedding a weighted blanket or heavy blanket
• If outdoor noise is distracting, a sound machine or soft instrumental music can help you relax