Sleep is one of those things that can seem like the holy grail at times. We all know we would like a little more sleep, but do we really do all that we can to get more? Sometimes it isn’t just about going to be earlier and trying to get more hours in, it can often be more to do with the quality of sleep that you get. So what can you do? I thought I would share with you four common problems when it comes to struggling with your sleep and how best to overcome them.
When you are feeling too hot
People can find it difficult to sleep at night for various reasons, but one of the most common issues people can face is the rising body temperature. This isn’t always during the summer, but it can be more evident during the hottest days of the year. When you are too hot, it is difficult to get comfortable in bed, and therefore cause you to not sleep. This is when things like cooling sheets for night sweats or generally to keep you cooler at night could help you fall asleep. It is a known fact that your body needs to cool down by a degree or two to help you fall into a deep sleep.
When you are stressed
Stress can be a big cause of lack of sleep. Ever find yourself awake at night, knowing that you are trying to sleep but finding it very difficult to do so? Awake worrying about something that you can’t change anyway in the middle of the night. Stressed or anxious about the following days upcoming events or just simply worrying about something. This is when stress is causing you to lose sleep. While there isn’t much you can do in terms of the life events causing you stress, you can simply try and empty your mind before bed. It could be as simple as writing it all down in a list before going to sleep, or trying out some relaxation methods to help clear your mind.
When your mind is stimulated
Going to bed knowing that you are exhausted but yet you can’t drift off? It sounds like your mind is over stimulated and this can be a common reason why we are not getting as much sleep as we want to be. So take some time to look at your habits before bed. It might be that you are drinking too much caffeine or having alcohol that can be a stimulant. Or it may be that you are not taking the time to relax before bed.
When you are struggling with anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression are two things that many people can struggle with and losing sleep can be one of the ways that you get affected by it. The best advice would be to really focus on some self love and time to relax before bed. A warm bath, a warm drink, an early night, no distractions, it could make the world of difference.
I hope that highlighting some of these issues help you to have a better nights sleep.
