Worry, stress, inactivity, and too much stimuli before bedtime can affect how well you sleep…or lack thereof. With COVID-19 on your mind, you may be experiencing a difficult time falling and staying asleep. So that your body is at it’s ultimate, you want to sleep like a baby. Here are some tips.
Develop a routine. Once you develop a habit for going to bed and awakening at the same time everyday, your body should fall into the natural rhythm of falling to sleep at a scheduled time. Creating a routine helps your mind know it’s time to wind down. Such activities may include reading, turning down lights, or a warm bath.
Turn off the screens. Television, computers, tablets, and smartphones create too much stimuli and the blue light from those techy devices makes it harder to wind down. I recommend shutting these down 30 – 60 minutes before bedtime. Listening to the news may cause anxiety. Try to refrain from these broadcasts two hours before bedtime.
Quiet the mind. During the day we are sometimes so busy that we don’t have time to quiet the noise. Take time to reflect upon your day. High points, and even low points if you evaluate ways of improving, will help you see the positivity in circumstances. If your mind starts to race with activities for the following day, keep a small notepad and pen at your bedside. Write down the ideas so it’s out of your mind and onto paper for the following day.
Exercise. But not before bedtime. Try to get physical activity in the early portion of the day. It reduces stress and strengthens the lungs.
Read. Broaden your horizon, escape from your troubles, and deepen your creativity with reading. It doesn’t matter if it’s an article or book, spend time reading before bedtime to help you relax. Just 15 minutes will make a difference.
Try Lavender and Chamomile products. My all time favorite sleep aids are actually baby products. I shower with the hair and body wash. Moisturize with the massage cream and apply the cologne to my body and/or pillow. Now that’s how I sleep like a baby.
