Alessandra Stasnopolis, RDN, LDN checks in on your sleep hygiene and shares her advice for getting your best night's rest, including what foods to eat and exercises to help wind down.
The mind isn’t always ready for bed when the body is. That’s where guides and sleepcasts come in, allowing you to disengage from your hectic day and calm the mind and body in preparation for a restful night’s sleep.
A great night’s sleep makes the brain work properly. Download the sleep flyer for 5 tips to help you fall asleep faster.
In terms of emotional health, a great night’s sleep helps us to learn, remember, solve problems and make decisions, as well as safeguarding against stress, mood swings and depression.
Try to do the same thing every night before bed so that your body grows accustomed to a nightly routine. This will help your body recognize when it’s time to start shutting down for sleep.
Turn off bright screens 30 minutes to an hour before bed. Electronics keep your brain stimulated and contribute to delayed REM sleep, so shutting them down helps both the quantity and quality of sleep you will get.
Mark down what time you want to go to bed and wake up in your calendar. This will increase accountability to make sure that you are truly going to bed at a set time in order to get enough sleep.
Some people use the time when they are falling asleep to think of their errands or to plan their next day. Instead, try different breathing exercises or mindfulness methods to clear your thoughts. This will make it easier to deactivate your cognition and enter into a sleep state.
When you’re having an afternoon slump at work, it sometimes feels like a good idea to have that extra cup of coffee or tea. If possible, try to avoid this. Depending on how much you drink, that may be the culprit for keeping you up at night.
Explore these articles on our Scrubbing In blog to continue the conversation.
If those methods don’t remedy your sleep woes, it might be time to seek additional help. If you’re having trouble sleeping, talk to your primary care physician first. He or she can help guide you on the right path, whether that be medication, counsel...
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Grace Glausier is a senior digital engagement strategist for Baylor Scott and White Health. A graduate of Baylor University, she is passionate about connecting people through powerful stories and empowering individuals toward better health.
Sleep—we all need it! And truthfully, most of us need more of it. As a sleep medicine doctor, I spend my days talking to people about how to improve both the quantity and quality of their sleep, and helping them get to the root cause of any sleep disturbances.
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