Stop the Insomnia!
Many of us experience the occasional night of sleeplessness without suffering any ill effects. But when the occasional night becomes a pattern of several nights in a row, you may find yourself faced with a sleeping problem.
Sleep deprivation has a profound affect on your mental, emotional, as well as physical wellbeing. It can affect your overall daily performance, compromising your efficiency, productivity and competency. You may find yourself short-tempered, anxious, and unable to focus. And if the insomnia persists, it can lead to other health issues.
The causes of insomnia vary, but if your sleeplessness is due to nothing more than bad habits or an ineffective bed-time routine, you can easily make a few changes in your daily habits and can be sleeping like a baby in no time. Let’s take a look at some things that may be robbing you of a good night’s sleep.
Caffeine–I know you’ve heard it all before, but it bears repeating: Caffeine is a stimulant. That means it revs up your body’s physiological processes, including your brain activity. It wakes you up. You may need this in the morning after not sleeping well the night before, but lay off the caffeine early in the afternoon. Switch to a decaffeinated version of your favorite beverge if possible. And don’t forget those “hidden” sources of caffeine, like chocolate, tea, and over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
TV–For many of us, watching TV is our favorite form of relaxation. It’s true that your body may be relaxed while you lie on the couch for hours in the evening, but unfortunately, the TV keeps your mind active. And if you can’t shut down your brain, you can’t begin the sleep cycle. So turn off the TV at least an hour before you want to go to sleep.
Internet–If you like surfing the internet right before bed, you may be setting yourself up for a sleepless night. As with watching TV, surfing the internet keeps your mind in an active state, preventing you from relaxing into the sleep cycle.
Work–Are you guilty of trying to squeeze in an hour or two of work after the kids go to bed? Again, you’re preventing your mind from shutting down for the night. Even making a list of what you want to accomplish the next day stimulates the brain and makes it more difficult to fall asleep. Set strict work hours and keep all work-related tasks within that time-frame.
Many things can contribute to your sleeplessness, but simple changes like these can have a significant impact on your quantity and quality of sleep. Eliminate these from your daily routine and you’ll soon be sleeping like a baby.
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