Many of us are familiar with the irritating feeling of tossing and turning at night. While getting enough sleep is absolutely vital to your overall health and well-being, many people find it difficult to fall asleep quickly and wake up feeling recharged.
It turns out that saying no to a late-night cup of coffee might not be enough, and some of our seemingly innocent habits might prevent us from getting a good night’s sleep. We also sometimes struggle to fall asleep and do some digging to find out the possible reasons behind it.
You Have Carpets In Your Bedroom
Rugs can add a nice touch to your room and make it cozy, but they also collect a lot of dust and can cause allergies. This can cause coughing and shortness of breath, which in turn can disrupt sleep.
If you can’t imagine a home without rugs, opt for small ones that don’t accumulate as much dust and are easier to clean.
You’re Sleeping In On The Weekends
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If you wake up early every morning to get to work on time, it’s totally understandable that you want to spend a few extra hours in bed on the weekends. But going to bed late several times a week can really throw off your circadian rhythm and affect the quality of your sleep in the long run.
Instead of waking up late on the weekend, try going to bed at the same time, and after a few weeks, you may not even need an alarm to wake up feeling well-rested.
You’re Following A Dairy-free Diet
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While going dairy-free can be beneficial for some people, cutting dairy out of your diet entirely can prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. Milk is one of the best sources of melatonin, an important sleep hormone that sends a signal to the brain when it’s time to go to bed.
Melatonin is often used to treat insomnia, and if you don’t want to take supplements, try drinking a glass of warm milk before bed.
You’re Turning Your Heater On
When it’s still cold outside, you’ll naturally want to wrap yourself up in a thick blanket and turn on the heat. But if you want to wake up refreshed, it’s best to sleep in a slightly cool room.
Studies have shown that we sleep better in cooler environments, and the temperature in your bedroom affects your sleep even more than outside noise.
You Indulge In Late-night Snacks
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When you feel exhausted at the end of the day, you might be tempted to eat something sweet before going to sleep. But eating too late at night can affect your sleep and prevent you from getting quality sleep.
This doesn’t mean you have to go to bed hungry, in fact eating 4 hours before bedtime can even help you fall asleep faster.
Do you usually sleep well at night? Do you have any advice for anyone who has trouble falling asleep?