Dragging on your feet this time of year? The New Year is the perfect time to refresh yourself and commit to that beauty sleep your body truly craves. Doing so could boost your overall well-being.
“Sleeping well directly affects your mental and physical health and the quality of your waking life,” according to Help Guide. “Fall short and it can take a serious toll on your daytime energy, productivity, emotional balance, and even your weight. Yet many of us regularly toss and turn at night, struggling to get the sleep we need.”
Well, now is the time to make a change. Grab a pen and paper and get ready to jot down some sleep resolutions. By making just a few small changes, you can wake up every morning feeling energized rather than groggy.
Start a bedtime routine.
Put down your phone, turn off the TV, and start unwinding early. Find some screen-free activities that help calm your mind down, such as reading, painting, or journaling. Keep your room comfy and stick to this routine every night. You might find that you feel more sleepy when it comes time to hit the hay.
Schedule a massage.
Massages are great for overall health, including relaxation. While 89% of consumers consider massage to be an effective pain relief method, this release of tension may also help you sleep more easily.
Watch your coffee habit.
The average coffee drinker consumes about 3.1 cups per day, and experts say that the healthy limit caps around four. Even if you love your back-to-back cups throughout your workday, consider switching to decaf in the afternoon. Your sleep cycle will certainly benefit.
Write down your thoughts.
Racing thoughts keeping you up at night? Put them down on paper before you turn your light out for the night. This way, you can feel more in control of your thoughts and can come back to your journal entry when it comes time to address them.
Stick to an exercise routine.
Working out is about a lot more than just staying in shape. Exercising a few times per week can also help you sleep better. Your entire body can feel more in balance when you get moving more regularly.
Know when you need a vacation.
Stress and burnout are often the culprits behind sleep deprivation, but you need to know when to take a step back. A recent survey found that 59% of respondents prefer a more relaxing vacation then an active one. By opting for a restful vacation (or even a staycation), you can reset your body and let stress melt away.
Remember that there are many more ways to make sleep a priority, so you just need to try different methods out until you find one that works for you. But once you do, 2018 can be the more restful year ever. Get ready to feel amazing.
