As we close out the year, it's time to start thinking about the new year, or in this case, dreaming of it. While diet and exercise make up the typical new year's healthy resolutions, it's the essential third pillar of the holistic health triangle that often gets ignored — sleep!
In fact, a recent survey by Mattress Firm found that 67% of Americans wish they got more sleep. But, don't despair just yet: the recent renewed focus on sleep and its value to our health means Zzz's are primed for a major comeback. So, what can you do to improve your sleeping habits?
4 Sleep Resolutions You Should Make This Year
1. Create a Consistent Bedtime Routine
Having a consistent nighttime routine helps get our bodies in the mindset that it's time for bed, which makes catching some Zzz's a breeze. Not only should we aim for eight hours but going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can help synchronize your sleep time with your internal clock.
Whether that means putting on your face mask and robe or reading a chapter of your favorite book, sticking to your routine can help ease you into sleep. Create a regular bedtime routine to start the new year off with a solid sleep resolution!
2. Skip the Late-Night Binge-Watching
Although it's tempting to catch up on your favorite Netflix series late at night, keep the binge-watching out of the bedroom. Believe it or not, TV can disrupt sleep for three main reasons.
First, the excitement of a TV show promotes chemicals in your brain that are not conducive to sleep. Second, the light from TV will trick your brain into thinking it's still daytime outside, since the brain cannot distinguish artificial light from sunlight. Third, the noise and light from TV may cause you to spend more time in the lighter stages of sleep, thereby slowly robbing you of deeper, more restorative sleep.
3. Let's Get Physical
The most common new year's healthy resolution is hitting the gym, but did you know that working out can also benefit sleep? Exercising can lead to sound nighttime sleep, tiring out our bodies and making it easier to fall asleep at the end of the day. If you're wondering how to sleep better at night naturally, then getting in a few extra steps may be the answer you're looking for.
But beware: if you tend to exercise late and have difficulty falling asleep, consider moving your workout to earlier in your day. Often times, the increase in body temperature from exercise tends to be prolonged, sometimes making it harder to fall asleep. Keeping your work out to the morning time or early afternoon is a great tip for how to sleep better.
4. Embrace the Sunshine
Who gets tired of hearing the same alarm tone day after day? Although you aren't always on the same schedule, use the sun as a wake up call when you can. Getting plenty of bright light in the morning helps keep your sleep timing on track, particularly if you have to wake up extra early.
No more feeling like you didn't get a night of sleep. Start your day by pulling back your curtains and letting the sunshine wake up your body. Plus, there is no snooze button on the sun, so you won't be able to delay the start of your day.
So what are you waiting for? Try using the above sleep resolutions to wake up on the right side of the bed. For more tips to sleep better, visit MattressFirm.com.
