The Benefits of Making Lifestyle Changes for Better Night’s Sleep and Health
When it comes to making positive changes to your lifestyle in order to improve your health, the amount of sleep you get each night is often one of the most overlooked factors. Getting an adequate amount of sleep helps your body with healing, growing, repairing, and providing energy essential for day-to-day functioning. A good night’s sleep, however, can be elusive.
Making lifestyle changes like controlling exposure to blue light at night, eating more nutritious foods, and exercising can make a big difference in your sleep patterns and overall health. It is important to strive for a healthy balance so you can live your life to the fullest.
Lifestyle Changes for Better Sleep and Health:
- Dedicate consistent hours to go to bed and wake up. Having regular bed hour helps to reset your body’s internal clock and ultimately sleeping and waking up according to a set schedule will improve your quality of sleep. At night, avoid activities that can stimulate the brain such as playing video games or checking emails.
- Avoid exposure to blue light. Blue light can be emitted by your phone, computer or TV screens at night and it can disrupt your ability to fall asleep. You can reduce your exposure to blue light by turning off the electronics and reading a book instead.
- Eliminate distractions. Cleaning up your bedroom so it’s tidy and making sure it’s dark at night can help you minimize distractions that can interfere with sleep. If you struggle with noise at night, a white noise machine or earplugs can also keep distractions away.
- Improve your diet. Eating more natural, nutrient-rich foods and minimizing processed foods can help your body better regulate hormones associated with sleep. Make sure you watch your caffeine and sugar intake as well, as excessive amounts can mess with your sleep patterns.
- Exercise. Regular exercise equals better sleep. Generally, the more intense the workout, the earlier you should exercise in the day. That’s because regular physical activity can increase your body’s core temperature and make it harder to fall asleep, so aim to exercise at least three hours before bed on any given day.
Making simple lifestyle changes to your daily routine can help improve your sleep, and in turn, your overall health and well-being. Get creative and don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the perfect routine for getting your best night’s sleep.
