Sleep is extremely important for normal function – this may seem obvious but there are so many people out there that don’t get sufficient sleep every night! Without sleep our bodies don’t heal and repair themselves. Lack of sleep can leave us feeling tired, moody, anxious, demotivated, hungry – it can also cause skin breakouts, headaches and can have a role in preventing people from loosing any weight.
How often do you wake up after a good night’s sleep and feel extremely happy and motivated to take on the day ahead? I know I do, it is such a great feeling! I have put together a few of my top tips below to help you wind down after a long day and fix your sleeping habits.
Baths – Epsom or magnesium salt baths have an amazingly calming effect on the body. Magnesium is considered to be natures’ tranquilizer as it can really help calm nerves and anxiety, it also helps with muscle aches and can relieve constipation or any digestive issues. Adding magnesium flakes or Epsom salts to a bath is one of my favourite ways to really wind down after a long day! For a little extra zen, why not dim the bathroom lights and bring the beauty of a candlelight into the room for that added calming effect.
Read a book – with technology being such a huge part of our lives, not many people take the time to read because they are simply ‘too busy.’ Reading before bed signals to your body that it is time to wind down and sleep. I like to switch the TV off and go to bed to snuggle up to a good old fashioned book. Find a book that you love and if you don’t like reading then buy a magazine or two, it really does help! Switch off from the outside world, stop thinking about what you have to do or haven’t done that day and immerse yourself in a good read! I find it really helps me zone out and best of all – I am often asleep within minutes clocking up those Zzzzz!
Meditation – Meditation is a great form of relaxation – a way of becoming thoughtless in such a fast paced day and age. Practicing meditation at night can really help you fall into a much deeper sleep. If you are unsure on meditation, why not practice some breathing techniques. I would suggest you turn off your lights, jump into bed and really focus on your breathing. Count your breaths and inhale deeply, try not to let your mind wander!
Herbal tea – I am a lover of all herbal teas – I drink them throughout the day! I enjoy drinking chamomile tea right before bed as it has been proven to help soothe the nervous system to prevent insomnia. Try adding a cup of tea to your bedtime routine to see how you feel.
Ban technology – Last but not least, the most important habit to create is to put your phones, tablets, computers, tv and any other gadgets away before bed no matter how hard it is! Technology sadly plays a huge part in out lives, it also plays a huge role in affecting your sleep – more than you realize. The blue light from our screens restrains the production of melatonin which is our sleep hormone making it harder to fall asleep. We spend countless hours on our gadgets each day and we need to let our minds have some time to unwind so I challenge you to try banning technology after 8/9pm or at least 30 minutes before bed time!
I hope you found these tips helpful, let me know how you go with them or if you have any additional tips that you find useful.
