Oct 11
18
If you are having trouble sleeping, here are a few tips on things you should NOT DO.
- Drink booze. It seems almost counterintuitive. Wine can make you drowsy and dreamy, but it actually disturbs your sleep, as opposed to helping you get to bed. Drinking too much beer only means bathroom breaks in the night. And whiskey, while it can knock you out, doesn’t make for the most restful sleeping experience (probably because your brain is too busy fighting demons).
- Caffeine. A cup of Joe is okay in the morning. But if you are hitting the pot sooner than 8 hours before bedtime, you are going to be wide-eyed instead of shut-eyed. Keep away from colas, coffees and teas after 2 pm and you’ll find you drift off more easily. With all that extra sleep, you might even find you can cut out caffeine altogether!
- Exercise. Another head-scratcher, but it’s true. A solid morning workout is the best thing you can do. A run at lunch – great. Soccer in the afternoon – perfect. But lifting weights or yoga right before bed is a strict no-no. Getting your heart-rate elevated within a few hours of bedtime makes it harder to sleep, not easier. Juggle your schedule and hit the gym in the mornings instead. Believe us, it’s easier to be a morning person when you’re sleeping properly.
- Work. Don’t give your brain anything to worry about when you’re lying on your mattress with your eyes forced closed. In an ideal situation, you’re rested, tired from a busy day. And at peace. Work can stress you out. So leave the paperwork at the office. Clear your mind of office politics and chill. A chapter or two of escapist fiction is a nice way to take your mind elsewhere.
- Watch TV. They did a study that found that couples that had televisions in their bedrooms actually had less sex. It affects your sleep as well. Keep your TV in the living room. Your bedroom should be a sanctuary, designed for only one thing – sleeping.
- Fight. Don’t argue with your partner before bed. You need your mind at peace. If something is bugging you, bite your tongue – for the time being. Expressing minor complaints and picking nits can quickly escalate into a full-blown battle. Anger is awful for sleep. So put what’s bugging you aside. Pick your battle and have it in the morning. Chances are it won’t seem so bad then.
- Worry. There is no point losing sleep over things you cannot control. Learn how to control your worry. Alternatively, set aside time every day where you can make lists of things that you are worrying about, and write the solutions, in steps you can take, next to them. There is a time and a place to worry about things. Bedtime in your bedroom is neither.
To find out more tips and tricks, see the sleeping tips on our website.
Or visit Mattress Choice’s Victoria mattress store at 3510 Blanshard.